By Palma Ileye
Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member Independent Investigative Committee to probe the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, said the investigation was aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensuring that anyone found culpable would be held accountable.
Tunji-Ojo said the government received reports on September 17 that the 37 persons, who were detained by the NSCDC Niger State Command over suspected illegal mining, had died in custody.
He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, the Niger State Government and Nigerians affected by the incident, stressing that “no life should be lost in the custody of the State.”
The Minister said the government, acting on President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation, had suspended the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and all officers who were on arrest, investigation, legal, station and guard duties between September 15 and 17.
According to him, the committee was mandated to establish the identities of the deceased, document the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, determine the cause and manner of death through appropriate medical and forensic examinations, and ascertain whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred.
He added that the panel would recommend appropriate disciplinary measures, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, serves as Secretary.
Other members are retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olayinka Buhari; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Mrs. Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr. George Agbakahi.
Tunji-Ojo gave the committee two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report, authorising it to co-opt experts, access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident, conduct forensic examinations and receive memoranda from members of the public.
He also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant Officers to cooperate fully with the investigation, warning that all records and material evidence connected to the incident must be preserved.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct this investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the Minister warned.
Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians that the government would ensure transparency in the investigation, saying, “We owe you the truth. This Committee will give you the truth. No Officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable.”
Responding on behalf of the committee, Kure described the assignment as a call to national service rather than an appointment saying, members of the committee accepted the responsibility because of their commitment to the country and their determination to protect their integrity.
