The Federal Government has commenced an investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo inaugurated a 10-member investigative committee in Abuja on Tuesday following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive probe into the incident.
The committee, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, has been given two weeks to establish what happened to the detainees and submit its findings.
Former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, will serve as secretary.
Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a histopathologist and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; and National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman.
Lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint Newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi are also members of the panel.
NPO Reports recall that the 37 detainees died on September 17 while in NSCDC custody following their arrest on September 15 and 16 around Lt Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, the Niger state capital.
Inaugurating the committee, Tunji-Ojo said its responsibility was to establish the facts and determine whether any individual or institution bore responsibility for the deaths.
The panel is expected to identify the deceased and establish the immediate and underlying causes of their deaths, as well as determine when and where the deaths occurred.
It will also investigate how the victims were arrested and detained, examine the legality and conditions of the detention facility and determine whether relevant laws, detention procedures and human rights standards were followed.
The committee will further investigate allegations of torture, inhumane treatment or denial of medical attention and determine whether negligence or professional misconduct by NSCDC personnel contributed to the deaths.
The minister directed the committee to interview NSCDC officers involved in the arrests and detention, surviving detainees, relatives of the deceased, witnesses, medical personnel and others with relevant information.
It is also expected to examine medical and autopsy reports, detention records and other documents or physical evidence that could assist in determining what occurred.
Tunji-Ojo said the panel would have unrestricted access to relevant facilities and records and could conduct forensic examinations where necessary.
He warned against any attempt to interfere with the investigation, including destroying or concealing evidence, intimidating witnesses or otherwise obstructing the committee’s work.
The minister also assured Nigerians that the investigation would not be used to protect any individual found responsible.
He said the government would make the panel’s findings public and take disciplinary, administrative or legal action against anyone found culpable.
Additionally, the government would consider compensation or other remedial measures for the families of the deceased where appropriate.
He appealed to the victims’ relatives to remain calm while the investigation proceeds, assuring them that the government would not abandon the families.
