The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate 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.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the panel in Abuja on Tuesday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The 37 detainees died on September 17, after being arrested during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining in Niger State. The circumstances and cause of the deaths have not been conclusively established and are now the subject of multiple investigations.
Speaking at the inauguration, Tunji-Ojo said government institutions must not become places where lives are lost and assured Nigerians that any officer found culpable would be held accountable.
“No life should be lost in the custody of the State. This is not who we are,” the minister said, adding that the government owed the families of the deceased and the public a transparent account of what happened.
He said the government was informed on September 17 about the deaths and subsequently ordered the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC commandant and officers connected with arrest, investigation, legal, station and guard duties between September 15 and 17.
The committee has been mandated to establish the identities of the deceased and reconstruct the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention. It will also determine, through medical and forensic examinations, the cause and manner of death and examine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or breaches of duty occurred.
The panel will further recommend appropriate disciplinary measures, compensation where applicable and safeguards to prevent a recurrence.
Retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, chairs the committee, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, serves as secretary.
Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Olayinka Buhari; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
Tunji-Ojo authorised the committee to engage additional experts, access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident, conduct forensic examinations and receive memoranda from members of the public.
The panel has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.
The minister also directed the NSCDC leadership to preserve all records and material evidence relating to the incident, warning that anyone who attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would face consequences.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Kure described the assignment as a national responsibility and pledged that the investigation would be conducted independently and without sentiment or external pressure.
He assured Nigerians that the panel would submit its findings based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
