The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has detained three more personnel over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in its custody in Niger State, bringing the number of officers held to 24.
NSCDC spokesman, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the three additional personnel had been identified and suspended in connection with the September 17 incident.
The 24 personnel, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, have been moved to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja, where they are undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings.
The Corps said the officers would also be made available to the 10-member independent committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate the deaths and determine responsibility.
The panel, announced by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Saturday, was constituted following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident. It has two weeks to submit its report.
The NSCDC initially detained 21 personnel after the deaths. The Corps has not established the cause of death, with the government investigation expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi said any personnel found culpable would face internal disciplinary measures and the law.
The Corps has also ordered its flag to fly at half-mast across its formations for three days from Sunday in mourning for the victims.
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