Horse’s Mouth News appreciates donations in support of good journalism and quality reportage. (Naira Account, Nigeria)
Account number: 6281917627
Account name: Horse’s Mouth News Media
Bank: Monie Point
FG suspends 20 NSCDC officers over miners’ deaths, sets up investigation panel
The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), following the death of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in NSCDC detention facility in Minna, Niger State.
The government also set up an investigation panel to ascertain the cause of the incident, directing that all material evidence on the incident be made available to the committee.
Nigeria’s interior minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement on Saturday, directed the suspension of the officers, pending the conclusion of investigation.
The development followed a directive by Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu, for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident which occurred on Thursday.
According to a statement signed by the interior minister, the affected officers include: Station Guards SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, ASCI Hassan Mohammed and CCA Bala Mohammed.
Others are arresting officers, CSC Oluwadare Sunday, DCC Obafemi Elvis and CSC Annas Shitto Lamino.
HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado, and Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed were also suspended.
Others affected fall within the Guard Duty, consisting of: IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah, and CAI Isah Sanusi.
Tunji-Ojo also set up a ten-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of the victims, stating that the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the incident.
The minister ordered total cooperation from the leadership and all relevant officers of the NSCDC with the committee, directing that all material evidence on the incident be made available to the panel.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he stressed.
Serving in the committee as chairman is retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services, Mr Jonathan Kure mni, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School would function as Secretary.
Other members include: AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired), Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Mr Deji Adeyanju, Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino and Dr. George Agbakahi.
The committee also consist of a representative each of both the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government, while Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, the current national secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria would represent the union in the panel.
“The Committee may co-opt relevant experts, access all necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public. It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister”, the statement added.
Tunji-Ojo further condoled with families of the deceased while appealing for calm in the course of the investigation.
