The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Saturday, directed the suspension of 20 officers in connection with the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) custody in Niger State, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The development followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday.

According to a statement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the affected NSCDC officers include: O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale.

Others include Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada; Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar; Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman; Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya; Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman; Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi; Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu; Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed; Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah; and Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi.

Tunji-Ojo has also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of the victims on suspicion of illegal mining.

Describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, the Minister said the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.

The independent committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

The Minister directed the committee to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct, and to recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

The Minister also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the Committee, while further directing that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to the investigators.

“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.

Members of the committee are:

Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services, as Chairman

Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, as Secretary

AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)

Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

Representative of the Minna Emirate Council

Representative of the Niger State Government

Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria

Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist

Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper

Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst.

“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.

The minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues. (Channels TV)