Miners’ Deaths: NSCDC Suspends 3 More Personnel, Orders Half-Mast

By Samuel Egbewole

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken further disciplinary action over the deaths of mining suspects in its custody in Niger State, suspending three additional personnel and directing all its formations to observe three days of half-mast.

The latest development brings to 24 the number of NSCDC personnel suspended in connection with the deaths, following the earlier suspension of 21 officers and men who were summoned to the Corps’ headquarters in Abuja.

The Corps’ spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, announced the fresh measures on Sunday, saying Commandant General Ahmed Audi ordered the half-mast observance as a mark of mourning and institutional remorse over the deaths.

The decision comes as an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths gets underway.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee to examine what led to the deaths of the suspects.

Audi has also directed that all NSCDC personnel under investigation be made available to the committee and other investigative panels for questioning and possible prosecution where culpability is established.

The Commandant General said the Corps would not shield personnel whose actions are found to have breached professional standards or citizens’ rights.

“We do not condone unprofessional conduct, high-handedness or any action that undermines the fundamental rights of citizens or the sacred trust reposed in us,” Audi said.

He said the Corps would continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and keep the public informed of developments and findings.

Audi also reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to transparency, human rights protection and professional ethics, while asking Nigerians to allow the investigative processes to run their course.