The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, alongside heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation on the heels of the death of 37 illegal miners in custody.
The duo have reported to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja to face a panel of inquiry as directed by Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Friday.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja, the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi said the directive followed the deaths of 37 suspects arrested during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, to activate a transparent and unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
In compliance with the directive, Audi ordered the Niger State Commandant of the corps, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, alongside heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation, to immediately step aside and report to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja to face a panel of inquiry.
“The CG has directed the state commandant to report forthwith to HQ alongside his heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation to face the constituted panel of inquiry.
“He has also directed that a new commandant proceeds to Niger to assume office pending the outcome of the investigation,” Afolabi said.
Audi assured the minister that no stone would be left unturned in the investigation, stressing that any personnel found culpable would face appropriate administrative, disciplinary or criminal sanctions in accordance with extant laws and regulations.
He also reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to upholding the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of persons in its custody.
Also Read: Police probe death of 33 miners in Minna NSCDC custody
Earlier, Niger State Governor Umaru Bago had constituted a committee of inquiry to investigate the deaths and determine their exact cause.
Bago, who spoke at a press conference in Minna, said similar investigations had been initiated by the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC.
The governor appointed his deputy, Yakubu Garba, as chairman of the state government committee, while the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, serves as secretary.
He said forensic audits and autopsies would be conducted on the deceased to establish the exact cause of death and guide further action.
Bago described the incident as unfortunate and tragic, saying the state government was compiling a register of the families of the deceased and would do its best to unravel the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
He appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands while authorities conduct the investigations.
The governor also ordered the closure of the M.I. Wushishi Mining Site and warned that anyone who violated the directive would be prosecuted.
He added that experts would be invited to conduct an analysis of the mining site as part of efforts to establish what led to the deaths.
The latest NSCDC statement puts the number of deceased miners at 33, while the state government had earlier referred to 37 deaths. The discrepancy is expected to be clarified as the various investigations and forensic examinations proceed.
NAN
