An independent investigation committee has recommended the dismissal of six officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the reported deaths of detainees in the agency’s custody in Niger State.
The panel also recommended criminal prosecution for five of the officers over alleged murder, torture, inhumane treatment and other offences.
The recommendations are contained in the committee’s report on the deaths of detainees at the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna.
The officers recommended for dismissal are CC Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, CSC Sunday Oluwadare, DSC Abubakar Dabban, SC Usman Ndamaka, ASCI Musa Marafa and ASC Hassan Mohammed.
The committee urged the Minister of Interior to direct the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board to hold an extraordinary meeting within 30 days to consider and formally approve the recommended dismissals in line with public service regulations.
It also recommended that the case file be forwarded to the Attorney-General of the Federation through the Minister of Interior for further legal action.
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Five officers — CC Suberu Aniviye Siyaka, CSC Sunday Oluwadare, SC Usman Ndamaka, ASCI Musa Marafa and ASC Hassan Mohammed — were specifically listed for proposed criminal prosecution under the Penal Code and the Anti-Torture Act 2017.
The proposed charges include murder, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, and criminal negligence.
In a separate recommendation, the panel called for the prosecution of SC Usman Ndamaka over alleged intentional tampering with a crime scene. It said the case should be pursued under Section 167 of the Penal Code.
The committee also asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate allegations that some of the officers extorted arrested miners and other individuals.
Meanwhile, four other officers were recommended for administrative disciplinary action over alleged gross management incompetence.
They are DCC Philips Ajayi, DCC Agrahau John Chagwa, DCC Obafemi Elvis and DSC Garba Aminu Sule Usman.
The panel further recommended lifting the suspension of 18 personnel it said had not been found culpable in the reported deaths.
The committee said the affected personnel should be allowed to resume their duties in line with its findings.
The recommendations are part of efforts to establish accountability over the deaths in NSCDC custody in Niger State. The proposed dismissals and prosecutions remain recommendations pending the relevant administrative and legal processes.
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