The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered a full-scale, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Niger State Command.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, at the National Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the statement, in swift compliance with the Minister’s directive, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, OFR, mni, has ordered the Niger State Commandant to step aside with immediate effect.
The Commandant is to report forthwith to the National Headquarters, Abuja, alongside his Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation to face the constituted panel of inquiry.
In the same vein, the Commandant General has directed a new Commandant to proceed to Niger State and assume immediate command of the State Command.
The CG assured the Minister that no stone would be left unturned in the investigation process, adding that any officer or personnel found to have acted contrary to the law, established procedures or professional standards will face appropriate administrative, disciplinary and, where applicable, criminal sanctions in accordance with extant laws and regulations.
“The NSCDC remains committed to upholding the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of every person in its custody and will continue to ensure that the enforcement of its statutory mandate, including the fight against illegal mining and the protection of Nigeria’s critical national assets, is carried out in accordance with the law and established professional standards,” the statement said.
