The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to inaugurate a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The committee, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, will be sworn in on Tuesday at the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee following a statement on Saturday.
The incident occurred during enforcement operations by the NSCDC against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, and the victims were found dead on September 17. The Minister of Interior described the incident as deeply disturbing and emphasized that the Federal Government owes the families and the public a transparent account. President Bola Tinubu had also directed a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident.
The committee's terms of reference include establishing the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances of their arrest and detention, determining the cause and circumstances of their deaths, and establishing responsibility, complicity, negligence, or misconduct. The committee is also mandated to recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence. The committee has two weeks to submit its report.
The 10-member committee includes Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, as Secretary, retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma, Prof. Olayinka Buhari, representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government, Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Zainab Suleiman Okino, and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.
The inauguration of the committee will take place at 12 noon on Tuesday at the Minister’s Conference Room, Federal Ministry of Interior, Old Federal Secretariat Area 1, Garki, FCT, Abuja. According to an invitation sent to members of the committee by its Secretary, Prof. Chiroma, all members are expected to attend. The committee's report is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the miners.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for accountability and justice for the victims and their families. The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria had called for a thorough investigation into the incident, while the Niger State Government has promised to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Federal Government's decision to set up an independent committee to investigate the incident is seen as a step in the right direction towards ensuring accountability and transparency. The committee's findings and recommendations are expected to be made public, and it is hoped that they will help to bring closure to the families of the victims and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The committee has two weeks to submit its report.
- The incident occurred during enforcement operations by the NSCDC against illegal mining.
- The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure.
