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As Nigeria mourns the unfortunate death of 33 suspected illegal miners in Niger State, Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Abubakar Audi, has ordered that NSCDC flags be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days, starting from Sunday, September 20.
He assured that due process, transparency, and accountability will be strictly followed in the investigation of 24 personnel of the Corps.
The officers who are currently held in custody of the NSCDC will face the full weight of internal disciplinary measures and the law if found culpable.
Contrary to the initial figure of 21 personnel, the Corps Public Relations Officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, while parading the officers and men at the Corps, disclosed that three more personnel identified have also been placed on suspension, thereby bringing the total number to 24.
“In a swift and decisive joint operation conducted in conjunction with the Commandant General’s Special Investigation Squad (SIS), all officers and men of the Niger State Command linked to the gross misconduct have since 17 September 2026 been taken into protective custody at the National Headquarters, Abuja, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action, so as to make them available for the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution,” the spokesman explained.
According to him, in solemn demonstration of the grief, institutional remorse and absolute disapproval of the incident, the CG has ordered that the NSCDC flag be flown at half-mast across all formations for three days, starting from Sunday, September 20, to signal a collective mourning and unwavering resolve to purge the system of bad eggs.
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The PRO quoted the CG as saying: “As a corps 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.”
In a statement, he pledged on behalf of the service to continue to keep the public abreast of the outcome of the investigation, adding that the leadership of the NSCDC remains unwavering in its commitment to transparency, human rights protection and professional ethics.
Meanwhile, the names of the officers held in custody in connection with the event are as follows: Commandant Subaru Siyaka Aniviye (SN: 3465), suspended NSCDC Niger State Commandant; DCC Ajayi Philips (SN: 19546), HOD Intelligence and Investigation (Remark: Lack of supervision); DCC John Agrahau Chagwa (SN: 1571), HOD Operations (Remark: Lack of supervision); DCC Obafemi Elvis (SN: 26234); ACC Stephen Tsado (SN: 19057), O/C Legal; CSC Oluwadare Sunday (SN: 12648); CSC Annas Shittu Lamino (SN: 28882); SC Usman Isah Ndamaka (SN: 70016); DSC Aminu Sule Garba (SN: 66281); DSC Musa Marafa (SN: 66580); DSC Isah Sulaiman (SN: 44377); ASCI Hassan Muhammad (SN: 56218); ASCI Alhassan Muhammad (SN: 14232); Aliyu Sallah (SN: 67130), Guard Duty; IC Abdullahi Sale (SN: 41683); IC Mohammed N. Sonfada (SN: 74351); Mohammed Jiya; Sale Adamu (SN: 46400); Haruna Muhammed (SN: 52659) and CCA Baba Muhamma (SN: 44273).
Others are CAI Isah Sanusi (SN: 78586); CAI Liman Abubakar (SN: 72017); CAI Bala Usman (SN: 76178) and CAI Ahmed Wushishi (SN: 70502).
