Government Suspends Civil Defence Chief Over Miners’ Deaths in Custody
Nigeria’s Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following the deaths of suspected illegal miners while in the corps’ custody.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered the suspension and a full investigation into the incident, which occurred at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, Niger State, in the early hours of Thursday.
The suspects were arrested during anti-illegal-mining operations conducted across Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Niger State authorities have confirmed that 37 detainees died, although the exact cause remains under investigation. Earlier, the NSCDC said a suspected disease outbreak could have been responsible but cautioned that this had not been medically established.
A survivor, Dauda Shehu, told The Associated Press that about 65 detainees were held in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell and said some struggled to breathe before the deaths occurred. His account has not been established as the official cause of death.
The bodies have been taken to Minna General Hospital for autopsies and medical examination.
The NSCDC has also constituted an investigative panel to examine the suspects’ condition when they were arrested, their treatment and detention conditions, and the medical attention they received.
Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as “an unfortunate incident” and said the commandant would remain suspended while the investigation is conducted.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has also ordered an investigation and declared three days of mourning for the victims.
