24 NSCDC officers to remain in custody for two weeks over miners’ death
Twenty-four NSCDC officers are being held in protective detention for two weeks while an independent committee investigates the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Niger State. The detention is intended to prevent interference with the ongoing federal investigation.
Why it matters
This case highlights issues of accountability and human rights within state security forces during investigations into civilian deaths.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said 24 of its personnel linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody in Niger State will remain in protective detention for two weeks, pending the conclusion of an independent investigation ordered by the Federal Government.
Babawale Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, told BusinessDay on Friday that the affected personnel would remain in custody throughout the period of the investigation by the 10-member independent investigative committee inaugurated by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior.
The committee was given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Ministry of Interior.
Afolabi said the detention was necessary to ensure that the officers remained available to investigators and could not interfere with the investigation.
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