The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The committee was constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident.
The deaths occurred after the victims were arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement on Saturday, said the government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what happened to the detainees.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and examine their arrest, detention and the circumstances and causes of their deaths.
It will also determine whether there was any responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct by officials and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.
The minister directed the leadership of the NSCDC and all officers connected to the incident to cooperate fully with the committee.
He also ordered that all records and material evidence relating to the incident be preserved and made available to investigators.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” Tunji-Ojo warned.
The committee will be 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, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.
Others are the National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint newspaper journalist, Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, visit locations connected to the incident, access facilities and documents and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the minister.
The minister also ordered the suspension of 20 additional NSCDC officers involved in the arrests, investigation, detention and supervision of the detainees, in addition to the previously suspended Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye.
The affected officers include the officer in charge of the station guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/OIC Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; and Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino.
Others are HOD Intelligence/Investigation, DCC Philip Ajayi; OIC Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and 11 officers listed as guard-duty personnel.
The full list comprises ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu and IC Haruna Mohammed, as well as ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.
The government said the suspensions are pending the outcome of the independent investigation.
The deaths have triggered public outrage and protests in Minna, with calls for an independent investigation and accountability for anyone found responsible.
The cause of the deaths has not been conclusively established. Authorities have said medical and forensic investigations are required to determine what happened to the detainees.
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
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