The Nigerian Federal Government has established an independent investigative committee to examine the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners held in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) custody in Niger State. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo inaugurated the committee, emphasizing the need for an unbiased investigation. The panel's mandate includes identifying the deceased, determining causes and circumstances of death, and assessing detention conditions.
The committee, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services Jonathan Kure, will investigate the legality and conditions of the detention facility, as well as compliance with relevant laws and human rights standards. Members include experts from various fields, such as law, medicine, and human rights. The committee has been granted full authority to access facilities, documents, and conduct forensic examinations.
Minister Tunji-Ojo warned that attempts to destroy evidence, intimidate witnesses, or obstruct the investigation will be treated as serious offenses. He assured Nigerians and the families of the deceased that the government will ensure justice and that those found culpable will be prosecuted or dealt with according to the law. The report will not be suppressed, and the government will present findings and take necessary actions.
The committee's secretary, Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), and members, including Hosea Hassan Karma, Prof Olayinka Buhari, and Deji Adeyanju, have pledged to investigate with integrity. The panel will interview relevant persons, examine medical and autopsy reports, and review operational mandates of the NSCDC. They will also recommend disciplinary, administrative, or legal actions against those found guilty.
Yakubu Kingsley, a chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party, has urged the investigative panel to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation. He expressed concern over reports of the miners' deaths and called for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding their detention and treatment. Kingsley emphasized the need to address the broader issues driving Nigerians into hazardous artisanal mining.
The investigation follows reports that some detainees were kept in an overcrowded cell, struggled to breathe, and repeatedly called for help before some of them died. The government has assured the families of the deceased that they will not be abandoned and that justice will be served. The committee's findings and recommendations are expected to shed light on the incident and inform future actions.
The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees and the need for improved oversight of law enforcement agencies. The government's response aims to provide closure for the families of the deceased and ensure accountability within the NSCDC. Key issues to be addressed include detention conditions, human rights compliance, and the broader socioeconomic factors contributing to artisanal mining.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has launched an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody.
- The investigative committee has been granted full authority to access facilities, documents, and conduct forensic examinations.
- The government has assured Nigerians and the families of the deceased that justice will be served and those found culpable will be prosecuted or dealt with according to the law.
