Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo warns that attempts to conceal evidence or obstruct investigations into 37 miners deaths will attract serious consequences.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 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, announced the committee in a statement on Saturday, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The deaths occurred on Thursday, September 17, after the victims were arrested on suspicion of illegal mining. The circumstances and actual cause of the deaths remain under investigation.
Tunji-Ojo said the committee would investigate the arrests and detention of the victims, establish their identities and determine the cause and circumstances surrounding their deaths.
He said the committee would also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action and compensation where applicable.
Describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, the minister said the government owed the families of the deceased and the public a transparent account of what happened.
The minister also warned against any attempt to interfere with the investigation.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,”
The committee is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General, Jonathan Kure, while former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), will serve as secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor of Histopathology, Olayinka Buhari; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; Miners Association of Nigeria National Secretary, Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.
The committee has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the minister.
It may also co-opt experts, access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.
The minister has directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation and preserve all records and material evidence linked to the deaths.
The Federal Government has also released the names of 20 NSCDC officers suspended in addition to the Niger State Commandant, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The suspended officers include the Officer-in-Charge of Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guards ASCI Hassan Mohammed and CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/OIC Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officers DCC Obafemi Elvis and CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; and HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi.
Others are O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and several officers assigned to guard duties.
The minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.