The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has expanded its investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State, placing three additional personnel in protective custody and bringing the number of those being interrogated to 24.
The development signals a widening accountability process within the Corps as investigators probe the circumstances surrounding the deaths and seek to establish the roles played by personnel at different levels of the Niger State Command.
According to News Media Nigeria, the three additional personnel were identified as allegedly linked to the incident, following the earlier detention of 21 officers and men.
The 24 personnel were transferred from the Niger State Command to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja on September 17, where they are undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary procedures.
Among those in custody is the suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, as well as senior officers including DCC Ajayi Philips, Head of Intelligence and Investigation, and DCC John Agrahau Chagwa, Head of Operations.
Also listed are DCC Obafemi Elvis and ACC Stephen Tsado, the officer in charge of Legal, alongside other officers and personnel attached to various functions within the command.
The personnel are expected to be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigative panels for further questioning and possible prosecution, depending on the outcome of the investigations.
The Corps has, however, not declared any of the detained personnel guilty, with the ongoing proceedings expected to determine individual responsibility and the circumstances that led to the deaths.
Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the investigation would be conducted in accordance with due process, transparency and accountability.
Audi warned that any personnel found culpable would face internal disciplinary measures and applicable sanctions under the law.
He maintained that the Corps would not tolerate unprofessional conduct, high-handedness or actions capable of violating the fundamental rights of citizens.
As part of its institutional response to the incident, the NSCDC also directed that its flag be flown at half-mast across all its formations nationwide for three days beginning September 20.
The Commandant General described the measure as an expression of the Corps’ grief and institutional remorse, while assuring Nigerians that the outcome of the investigation would be communicated.
The deaths occurred after the suspected illegal miners were taken into NSCDC custody following anti-illegal mining operations in Niger State.
With the number of personnel under investigation now standing at 24, attention is expected to remain on the findings of the independent investigation and whether those responsible for any breach of duty or misconduct will ultimately face prosecution.
