FG Suspends 20 Civil Defence Officers Over Deaths of 37 in Niger

ABUJA — The Federal Government has suspended 20 Civil Defence officers over their alleged involvement in an incident that led to the deaths of 37 people in Niger State.

The Ministry of Interior said the affected officers were suspended on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the incident.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that an independent committee had also been constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish the facts of the case.

The ministry said the officers would remain suspended until the investigation is concluded and appropriate administrative action is determined.

The 20 suspended officers are:

1. O/C Station Guard: SC Usman Isah Ndamaka

2. Station Guard: ASCI Hassan Mohammed

3. Station Guard: CCA Bala Mohammed

4. Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation: CSC Oluwadare Sunday

5. Arresting Officer: DCC Obafemi Elvis

6. Arresting Officer: CSC Annas Shitto Lamino

7. HOD INT/INV: DCC Philip Ajayi

8. O/C Legal: ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado

9. Day/Night Duty Officer: ASCI Alhassan Mohammed

10. Guard Duty: IC Abdullahi Sale

11. Guard Duty: IC Mohammed Sonfada

12. Guard Duty: CAI Liman Abubakar

13. Guard Duty: CAI Bala Usman

14. Guard Duty: IC Mohammed Jiya

15. Guard Duty: DSC Isah Suleiman

16. Guard Duty: CAI Ahmed Wushishi

17. Guard Duty: IC Sale Adamu

18. Guard Duty: IC Haruna Mohammed

19. Guard Duty: ASCI Aliyu Sallah

20. Guard Duty: CAI Isah Sanusi

The independent committee is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and submit its findings to the relevant authorities for further action.