The Federal Government's Independent Investigative Committee, probing the deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State, has found that the deceased died from asphyxiation. The committee's chairman, Jonathan Kure, a former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, disclosed this while presenting the panel's report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths and vowed that the suspension of officers implicated in the matter would not replace criminal prosecution where evidence of wrongdoing is established. The President emphasized that the investigation must establish whether any official contributed to the deaths through misconduct, abuse of authority, or negligence.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated a 10-member independent committee, chaired by Kure, to investigate the deaths and recommend appropriate action. The committee was mandated to establish the identities of the deceased, examine the circumstances of their arrest and detention, determine the cause of death, and identify any responsibility, negligence, or misconduct by officers of the corps.
The NSCDC had admitted that the suspected miners died in its custody but said the cause of death had not been established. Reports had suggested that overcrowding and poor ventilation might have contributed to the deaths. A survivor reportedly said about 65 people were held in the cell, which may have exacerbated the situation.
The FG committee had earlier requested a two-week extension to complete its assignment due to delays in obtaining forensic and pathology reports and the volume of evidence requiring examination. The committee visited the detention facility in Minna, inspected the mining site and NSCDC state headquarters, conducted autopsies, and obtained statements from survivors, bereaved families, corps personnel, and other witnesses.
The committee's findings were based on a thorough investigation, which included an examination of the conditions at the detention facility, the number of detainees held there, and the medical attention provided before the deaths. The NSCDC had initially said a diphtheria outbreak may have led to the deaths but noted that medical and laboratory examinations were required to determine the cause of death.
The Federal Government has emphasized its commitment to enforcing the law firmly while also obeying the law, with a focus on the sanctity of human life. The government aims to ensure that those responsible for the deaths are held accountable and that measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The Federal Government's investigation found that the 37 miners died from asphyxiation while in NSCDC custody.
- The NSCDC had initially suspected a diphtheria outbreak as the cause of death but later acknowledged that the cause was unknown.
- President Bola Tinubu emphasized that suspension of officers is not a substitute for criminal prosecution where evidence of wrongdoing is established.
