The identities of the 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have been released.
The victims were among scores of persons arrested during anti-illegal mining operations conducted by the NSCDC in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The deaths occurred on Thursday, September 17, after the suspects had been taken into custody in Minna, the state capital.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have triggered public concern and prompted investigations by the Federal Government and the NSCDC.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while the actual cause remains subject to investigation.
Reports from survivors and other accounts have raised questions about the conditions in which the detainees were held, including allegations of overcrowding and poor ventilation.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, suspended Suberu Aniviye, Niger State NSCDC Commandant, and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the probe.
The Federal Government also constituted an independent committee to investigate the deaths.
Reports from survivors and other accounts have raised questions about the conditions in which the detainees were held, including allegations of overcrowding and poor ventilation.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, suspended Suberu Aniviye, Niger State NSCDC Commandant, and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the probe.
The Federal Government also constituted an independent committee to investigate the deaths.
The NSCDC has since taken 24 personnel into custody in connection with the incident, including the suspended Niger State Commandant.
The personnel are being investigated over their roles and responsibilities surrounding the detention and deaths of the suspects.
The Corps has also deployed Abdulhamid Kabara as the new commandant of its Niger State Command following Aniviye’s suspension.
Kabara formally assumed office on September 18.
The identities of the 37 deceased persons, as released, are:
1. Ibrahim Sani
2. Fahad Sa’adu
3. Abdulsalam Ismail
4. Usman Aliyu
5. Abubakar Alhaji
6. Sani Nasir
7. Sanusi Khalid
8. Ahmad Aliyu
9. Safiyanu Abdullahi
10. Suleiman Dantala
11. Idris Haruna
12. Sani Yakubu
13. Safiyanu Abubakar
14. Abdullahi Abubakar
15. Abubakar Musa
16. Abdul Mudassir
17. Suleiman Lawal
18. Usman Abdullahi
19. Samuel Sambo
20. Ibrahim Musa
21. Yusuf Nasiru
22. Umar Lawal
23. Isyaku Amisu
24. Bissallah Adamu
25. Abdulbari Suleiman
26. Shafisu Lado
27. Usman Ahmad
28. Usman Ibrahim
29. Sani Isyaku
30. Musa Ibrahim
31. Idris Bashir
32. Kabiru Suleiman
33. Emmanuel Emeka
34. Mu’awiya AbdulKarim
35. Abdul Gafar Abubakar
36. Usman Haruna
37. Yaro Salihu Soba
According to report, the names were provided by the International Human Rights Commission and compared with a list from the General Hospital, Minna. Four of the names, Mu’awiya AbdulKarim, Abdul Gafar Abubakar, Usman Haruna and Yaro Salihu Soba, were indicated as not appearing on the general hospital list.