By Sanni Abdullahi
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has placed 24 of its personnel, including the Niger State Commandant, in protective custody over their alleged connection with the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
The Corps disclosed this in a statement obtained on Sunday, confirming that all the personnel involved in the operation that led to the tragic incident have been detained and are currently being interrogated.
According to the statement, the personnel are being subjected to administrative disciplinary proceedings as investigations continue to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident that claimed the lives of the teenage miners.
The development is coming days after reports emerged that 37 young men suspected to be illegal miners were killed in an operation involving NSCDC operatives in Niger State, a development that sparked public outrage and calls for a thorough investigation.
The full list of detained personnel was released by the Corps as follows:
1. Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye — SN: 3465
2. DCC Ajayi Philips — SN: 19546
3. DCC John Agrahau Chagwa — SN: 1571
4. DCC Obafemi Elvis — SN: 26234
5. ACC Stephen Tsado — SN: 19057
6. CSC Oluwadare Sunday — SN: 12648
7. CSC Annas Shittu Lamino — SN: 28882
8. SC Usman Isah Ndamaka — SN: 70016
9. DSC Aminu Sule Garba — SN: 66281
10. DSC Musa Marafa — SN: 66580
11. DSC Isah Sulaiman — SN: 44377
12. ASCI Hassan Muhammad — SN: 56218
13. ASCI Alhassan Muhammad — SN: 14232
14. Aliyu Sallah — SN: 67130
15. IC Abdullahi Sale — SN: 41683
16. IC Mohammed N. Sonfada — SN: 74351
17. Mohammed Jiya
18. Sale Adamu — SN: 46400
19. Haruna Muhammed — SN: 52659
20. CCA Baba Muhamma — SN: 44273
21. CAI Isah Sanusi — SN: 78586
22. CAI Liman Abubakar — SN: 72017
23. CAI Bala Usman — SN: 76178
24. CAI Ahmed Wushishi — SN: 70502
According to the statement, “NSCDC says the personnel are being interrogated and subjected to administrative disciplinary proceedings as investigations continue.”
The detention of a serving State Commandant alongside 23 other officers is considered unprecedented in the history of the Corps and underscores the seriousness the national headquarters attaches to the incident.
Sources within the NSCDC said the Commandant General has ordered a high-powered investigative panel to ensure a transparent and impartial probe, with assurances that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.
The deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners have raised serious concerns about the rules of engagement for security agencies involved in combating illegal mining activities in the North Central region, where mineral-rich communities have witnessed a surge in artisanal mining by teenagers and young adults.
Human rights groups and civil society organizations had earlier called for an independent inquiry into the incident, alleging excessive use of force.
The Niger State Government had also demanded clarification from the NSCDC on what led to the mass casualties.
With the detention of the 24 personnel, expectations are high that the investigation will shed light on whether the operatives acted within standard operational procedures or violated them.
The NSCDC, while commiserating with families of the deceased, reiterated its commitment to upholding professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights in the discharge of its mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure.