Full List of 20 NSCDC Officers Suspended Over Deaths of 37 Miners as Survivor Alleges Substance was sprayed in cell

The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in addition to the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody in Minna, Niger State.

The incident has also taken a new turn following an account by a survivor, who alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the overcrowded cell shortly before some detainees began collapsing.

According to the survivor, 17 people were initially locked inside a small room before additional detainees were brought in. He said the detainees complained about the heat and lack of space.

He further alleged that as the room was about to be locked, something resembling perfume was sprayed inside, after which the smell began disturbing those inside and people started falling. Watch the video below (It’s in Hausa)

The suspensions of the NSCDC officers was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.

The 37 detainees died on September 17 after being arrested during enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining in Minna.

The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but the exact cause and circumstances of the deaths remain subject to investigation.

The Federal Government has also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident.

According to the Interior Ministry, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as the cause and manner of their deaths.

It has also been mandated to determine whether there was any responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.

The committee has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.

Full List of Suspended NSCDC Officers

The 20 NSCDC officers suspended alongside the Niger State Commandant are:

1. SC Usman Isah Ndamaka — O/C Station Guard.
2. ASCI Hassan Mohammed — Station Guard
3. CCA Bala Mohammed — Station Guard
4. CSC Oluwadare Sunday — Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation
5. DCC Obafemi Elvis — Arresting Officer
6. CSC Annas Shitto Lamino — Arresting Officer
7. DCC Philip Ajayi — HOD Intelligence/Investigation
8. ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado — O/C Legal
9. ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — Day/Night Duty Officer
10. IC Abdullahi Sale — Guard Duty
11. IC Mohammed Sonfada — Guard Duty
12. CAI Liman Abubakar — Guard Duty
13. CAI Bala Usman — Guard Duty
14. IC Mohammed Jiya — Guard Duty
15. DSC Isah Suleiman — Guard Duty
16. CAI Ahmed Wushishi — Guard Duty
17. IC Sale Adamu — Guard Duty
18. IC Haruna Mohammed — Guard Duty
19. ASCI Aliyu Sallah — Guard Duty
20. CAI Isah Sanusi — Guard Duty

The officers have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

The independent committee will be chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint newspaper journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.

The committee has been empowered to access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident, invite witnesses and request memoranda from members of the public.

The Minister also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to preserve and make available records and material evidence connected to the incident. He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.

The Federal Government has said the suspension of the officers is part of the ongoing process and that the investigation will determine whether any official bears responsibility for the deaths.

The outcome of the probe is expected to clarify what happened to the detainees from the time of their arrest until their deaths and whether negligence, misconduct or other wrongdoing contributed to the tragedy.

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