Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded its suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Suberu Aniviye, and other officers linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody.
The officers were presented at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, on Sunday as the Corps briefed journalists on preliminary findings from its investigation into the deaths.
The 37 detainees died after being arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak but said medical examinations would be required to establish the actual cause.
The development has since triggered public concern, particularly over the conditions under which the detainees were held.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners had been detained at an NSCDC facility before 37 died.
Possible overcrowding, suffocation and exposure to hazardous substances have been cited among the issues requiring investigation, although the definitive cause of death has not been established.
The Federal Government suspended the Niger State commandant and 20 other NSCDC officers pending the outcome of an independent investigation.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of those who died, examine the circumstances of their arrest and detention, assess the conditions in which they were held and determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths.
President Bola Tinubu ordered a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident and directed that the process should be allowed to proceed without interference.
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