Ambassador Hussaini Coomassie has urged the Federal Government to make public the findings of investigations into the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in Niger State. The miners died on September 17 while in detention by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Coomassie warned that the matter must not be "swept under the carpet." His call follows the commencement of separate investigations by the Federal Government, the Niger State Government, and the Nigeria Police Force.
The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and other personnel linked to the incident. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The committee is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure and includes representatives of the Minna Emirate Council, the Niger State Government, and the Miners Association. The committee's terms of reference empower it to co-opt additional experts and access relevant documents and facilities.
Coomassie advocated for a broader, multidisciplinary investigation involving relevant security, government, and community stakeholders. He proposed a panel that would include representatives of the Directorate of Military Intelligence, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, and the Department of State Services, among others. Coomassie also suggested the inclusion of independent investigative journalists, criminal lawyers, and human-rights advocates, citing activist Deji Adeyanju as an example.
Coomassie questioned the two-week timeframe given to the Federal Government's committee to conduct a thorough investigation. He described the timeframe as too short and criticized aspects of the committee's composition. The Niger State Government has also inaugurated a 20-member committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, to investigate the incident. The committee comprises representatives of the police, DSS, Nigerian Army, and civil society organisations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, stated that the police would investigate the deaths and collaborate with the NSCDC and the Niger State Government's committee of inquiry. Coomassie maintained that the various investigations should establish a clear, credible, and publicly accountable account of what happened to the 37 miners. He stressed that Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability in the handling of the investigations.
The Federal Government's committee has the mandate to visit relevant locations, access documents and facilities, and receive memoranda from members of the public. Coomassie urged the relevant authorities to ensure that the findings of the investigations do not disappear without appropriate follow-up action. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the handling of the investigations.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for justice. Coomassie's call for transparency and accountability has been echoed by many Nigerians. The outcome of the investigations is eagerly awaited, and it is hoped that the truth about the deaths of the 37 miners will be revealed and those responsible held accountable.
Key points
- Ambassador Hussaini Coomassie urges the Federal Government to make public the findings of investigations into the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in Niger State.
- The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 miners.
- Coomassie advocates for a broader, multidisciplinary investigation involving relevant security, government, and community stakeholders.
