The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed Abdulhamid Kabara as the new Commandant of its Niger State Command, days after 37 suspected illegal miners died while in custody in Minna.
Kabara takes over from Suberu Aniviye, who was suspended from his position as Niger State NSCDC Commandant following the deaths of the suspects in the state capital.
The new commandant officially assumed duty on Friday, September 18, according to a statement issued on Saturday by Abubakar Muti, the NSCDC spokesperson in Niger State.
Kabara’s deployment comes at a sensitive time for the NSCDC, as authorities face scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspects arrested in connection with alleged illegal mining activities.
The Federal Government had ordered the immediate suspension of Aniviye following the incident.
Muti said the new commandant acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and expressed sympathy to the families of those who died.
According to the statement, Kabara expressed “deep sadness over the loss of lives” and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and others affected by the incident.
Speaking after assuming office, Kabara said the NSCDC would continue to carry out its statutory duties, including arrests, investigations, enforcement operations and the fight against illegal mining.
However, he stressed that law enforcement must be carried out alongside the protection of human life and the rights of people in custody.
“At a moment like this, beyond arrests, investigations, enforcement and the fight against illegal mining, we must remember one fundamental truth: every human life matters,” Kabara said.
He added that the deaths were painful and offered his thoughts and prayers to the families mourning their loved ones.
The new Niger commandant further said security responsibilities must be balanced with the need to protect the dignity, safety and welfare of individuals held in custody.
He said the responsibility of protecting society and enforcing the law should go hand in hand with ensuring that people in custody are treated with dignity and kept safe.
The deployment comes as the authorities continue to face questions over the circumstances that led to the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners.
The Federal Government has also moved to investigate the incident, with attention focused on establishing what happened to the detainees and determining whether proper procedures were followed while they were in custody.
