* State Commandant suspended over incident
By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state has confirmed the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Minna.
In a statement on Thursday, the governor announced the constitution of panel of inquiry into the incident.
Governor Bago also disclosed that the state commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC and others connected to the incident have been suspended with immediate effect.
According to him, “this morning we woke up to the sad news that 37 miners died in NSCDC custody in Minna. We are saddened because no matter what happened, life of human being is sacred. The Commandant General of NSCDC is currently out of the country but we have discussions with his deputy. The State Commandant of the Corps in Niger has been suspended immediately”.
He sympathised with the families the deceased ones and sued for calm and peace.
