₦airaland Forum

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested and detained three additional personnel over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the Corps’ custody in Niger State.

The latest arrests bring the number of NSCDC personnel being held in connection with the incident to 24. The Corps disclosed this on Sunday through its spokesman, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi.

Mr Afolabi said the three newly identified personnel had been suspended and placed in custody, alongside the 21 officers earlier detained.

He said personnel linked to the incident had been moved from the Niger State Command to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja, where they are undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary procedures.

The Corps said the officers would also be made available to the 10-member Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigative panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The latest development came a day after the Federal Government constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the panel on Saturday following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of officers allegedly connected to the incident.

The 37 suspected miners were arrested during operations against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on 15 and 16 September. Their deaths were discovered on 17 September.

NSCDC promises accountability

The NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, said the Corps would ensure due process, transparency and accountability throughout the investigation.

Mr Audi said personnel found culpable would face internal disciplinary measures and the full force of the law.

He said the Corps does not condone conduct that undermines citizens’ fundamental rights or the trust placed in its personnel.

The NSCDC has also directed that its flag be flown at half-mast for three days across all its formations as a mark of mourning.

onatisi:
very sad ut this is a dead matter , most especially as rumours circulating indicates that the main culprit is a strong apc member . they just killed those young men for fun

Pythagon:
I heard the children were screaming for help and no one paid attention to tell. imagine that level of cruelty.

Deollaa:
https://vop.ng/37-miners-deaths-nscdc-arrests-three-more-24-now-in-custody/

malali:
- Who ordered or permitted the detention conditions?

- How many people were held in the cell and for how long?

- Were officers aware that detainees were in medical or respiratory distress?

- Did officers fail to provide required medical attention?

- Did anyone use excessive force or deliberately harm detainees?

- Were there attempts to conceal what happened or interfere with evidence?

If the evidence establishes that an officer's intentional act, reckless conduct, or criminal negligence caused or materially contributed to deaths, then prosecution would be warranted under the applicable Nigerian criminal law.

Also, what was sprayed on them as alleged by the survivors, why were they not rescued when the first person died ? Second person died ? third person died ? Why did they have to wait for 37 people to die ?

Were these minors locked up unsupervised and left alone all night ?

Why hasn't the the person in charge of NSCDC resigned yet ? What is he waiting for ? A meritorious service award from the president ?

Originalsly:
Those detained should've been locked up in the same cell ... after all... it's only 27 so far... there's even space for 10 more. Why not give them a dose of their own medicine?

owobokiri:
Much as those responsible for this heinous act should be arrested and tried, we should be very careful in taking actions that will ultimately make it hard for the security agencies to be very decisive and ruthless in checkmating economic sabotage.

We have this habit of throwing away the baby with the bathwater in this country.
The security personnels must be protected and seniors trying to save themselves from possible punishment, should not be allowed to draw in innocent subordinates into this issue.

There is a reason why the security operatives tend to be ruthless on this issue in the north. Most of those involved in solid minerals thefts are the ones funding banditry which has ravaged the north. Essentially, most of them are not walking around with clean hands.

This is the more reason why the government must punish those whose orders or negligence of duties led to these deaths, but must do so in a way that doesn't dampen the morale of the security forces, to the extent that they become nonchalant to the activities of illegal miners in the future..

fashrola:
So can you tell us how you want them to be punished with a case that involves mass death?