Three More Personnel Suspended as Corps Moves All Officers Linked to Incident to Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has detained three additional personnel over the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State, bringing the number of officers in custody to 24.
NSCDC spokesman, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
The Corps had initially detained 21 personnel following the deaths of the miners while in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
Afolabi said the three additional officers had also been suspended and moved with the other affected personnel to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja for interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings.
He said the officers would be made available to the 10-member Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigative panels for further inquiry and possible prosecution.
The development followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the 10-member committee on Saturday and ordered the suspension of officers allegedly involved.
NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi said the Corps would ensure due process, transparency and accountability throughout the investigation.
He said personnel found culpable would face internal disciplinary measures and prosecution in accordance with the law.
The affected officers include suspended Niger State Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, Head of Intelligence and Investigation Ajayi Philips, Head of Operations John Agrahau Chagwa, Obafemi Elvis and Officer-in-Charge of Legal Stephen Tsado, among others.
The NSCDC also ordered its flag to be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days from Sunday as a mark of mourning.
The federal government panel is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the responsibility of any individuals or institutions found to have played a role.