The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the committee on Saturday and ordered the suspension of 20 NSCDC officers, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the government has a responsibility to provide the families of the deceased and Nigerians with a clear account of what happened.
The committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths. It will also determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or other forms of responsibility were involved.
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Among its responsibilities are recommending appropriate disciplinary measures and compensation where applicable, as well as proposing measures to prevent a recurrence.
The panel is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, while former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, will serve 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; 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.
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The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the panel and preserve all records and material evidence relating to the incident.
He warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The committee may also engage additional experts, access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It has been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
The 20 additional officers suspended include personnel involved in station guard duties, arrests, investigations, intelligence, legal affairs and other security duties connected to the detention facility.
The minister also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
