The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the Commandant General (CG), of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to carry out a full-scale, transparent and unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of illegal miners in the custody of its Niger State Command, according to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
Consequently, the Commandant General has ordered the Niger State Commandant to step aside with immediate effect and report forthwith to the National Headquarters, Abuja, alongside his Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation to face the constituted panel of inquiry.
The statement added that the CG has directed a new Commandant to proceed to Niger State and assume immediate command of the State Command.
“The CG assures the Hon Minister of Interior that no stone would be left unturned in the investigation process and 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 standard,” the statement concluded.
