Miners’ deaths: NSCDC suspends more personnel as Bago calls for executive order 

By Kelechi Ogunleye

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday said it has suspended three more personnel and ordered three days of flying the flag at half-mast to mourn the death of 37 people arrested for illegal mining in Niger State in its custody.

The three personnel were paraded alongside 20 other officers including Commandant Suberu earlier arrested over the incident before journalists in Abuja on Sunday.

The personnel were paraded as Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago appealed to Federal Government for an executive order to ban mining activities in areas of the state he described as problematic.

NSCDC Spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, paraded the 23 suspended officers.

He added that he NSCDC Commandant General (CG), Ahmed Audi, gave the directive in solemn demonstration institutional remorse, grief and absolute disapproval of the incident. 

Audi said that this was aimed to signal a collective mourning and unwavering resolve to purge the system of bad eggs.

He added that all arrested personnel would be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had on Saturday announced the setting up of a 10-member independent investigative committee to examine the situation surrounding the demise of the victims.

According to the CG, the corps was built on integrity, professionalism, discipline, and absolute respect for the rule of law.

“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,” he said.

‎He pledged on behalf of the service to continue to keep the public abreast on the outcome of the investigation.

“The leadership of the NSCDC will continue to show unwavering commitment to transparency, human rights protection and professional ethics,” he assured.

‎Audi appreciated the patience and understanding of Nigerians as internal re-evaluation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Governor Bago, in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday Politics said there is need for stronger intervention from the Federal Government because the state has no control over mining.

He added that it will be difficult to drive the so-called illegal miners, especially minors, away from the site because of the money they are making from the venture.

“I am in between the devil and the Red Sea because, as a governor, yes, it’s in my state. As a governor, I cannot just go and order the police or military to start shooting people or arresting people. As a governor, I can only make advocacy.

“But these people, because they have tasted the mining money, they cannot leave that side. We need decisive action. We need an executive order from the Presidency or from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to ban mining in certain locations where we have seen they are problematic. Once that is done, it can be enforced,” he said.