NSCDC Holds 24 Officers As Investigation Deepens Into Arrest Of 37 Miners

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed that 24 personnel linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State will remain in protective custody for two weeks pending the conclusion of an independent investigation.

The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this while explaining that the affected personnel would remain available to a 10-member investigative committee constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the committee was given two weeks to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and submit its findings to the Ministry of Interior.

Afolabi said keeping the personnel in custody was intended to prevent possible interference with the investigation and ensure that those connected to the incident remained available to investigators throughout the process.

He explained that the officers were being held under protective detention rather than ordinary criminal detention, following a directive from the Federal Government.

The affected NSCDC personnel were moved from Niger State to the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja on September 17, where they have been undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary procedures.

The development followed the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were reportedly arrested and detained by NSCDC personnel in Niger State between September 15 and 16.

The Corps later identified three additional personnel in connection with the incident and suspended them, bringing the total number of officers and men in protective custody to 24.

Afolabi said the personnel were being kept available for the presidential investigative committee and other relevant panels that could further examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether prosecution would be necessary.

Among those affected are the suspended Niger State Commandant, Ajayi Philips; Subaru Aniviye; John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Intelligence and Investigation; Obafemi Elvis; Stephen Tsado, Head of Operations; Oluwadare Sunday, Head of Legal; Annas Shittu Lamino; SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; and DSC Aminu Sule Garba.

Others include Musa Marafa, Isah Sulaiman, Hassan Muhammad, Alhassan Muhammad, Aliyu Sallah, Abdullahi Sale, Mohammed Sonfada, Mohammed Jiya, Sale Adamu, Haruna Muhammed, CCA Baba Muhamma, Isah Sanusi, CAI Liman Abubakar, Bala Usman and Ahmed Wushishi.

The NSCDC said administrative disciplinary proceedings had commenced alongside the independent investigation, with the outcome expected to determine the next steps regarding the affected personnel.