The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
has paraded its suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Suberu Aniviye,
and other officers linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died
while in the Corps’ custody.
The affected officers were paraded at the NSCDC
National Headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, on Sunday, as the Corps’ National Public
Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, briefed journalists
on the preliminary findings into the incident.
The 37 detainees reportedly died last Thursday after
being arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by NSCDC
personnel in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15
and 16.
Following their arrest, the suspects were detained at
an NSCDC facility in the state before their deaths were recorded.
The NSCDC had initially linked the deaths to a
suspected disease outbreak, while stating that medical examinations would be
conducted to determine the actual cause.
The incident has since prompted government
intervention, with the Federal Government suspending the Niger State Commandant
and 20 other NSCDC officers pending the outcome of an independent
investigation.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also
constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances
surrounding the deaths.
The committee's terms of reference include determining
the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances surrounding their
arrest and detention, and establishing the cause and circumstances of their
deaths.
The committee has been given two weeks to complete its
investigation and submit its findings.
The ongoing probe is expected to shed further light on
what happened to the detainees while they were in NSCDC custody and determine
whether any officers or other parties should be held accountable.
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