Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured the families of 37 miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State that the federal government will investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. The 37 persons died on September 17 while being detained by NSCDC on suspicion of illegal mining. Shettima gave the assurance during a condolence visit to Minna, the Niger State capital, where he conveyed the sympathies of President Bola Tinubu to Governor Mohammed Bago, the bereaved families, and the people of the state.
Shettima announced the federal government's donation of N250 million to families of the deceased and recalled that Tinubu had directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The vice president stated that the government had constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee and suspended officers connected with the incident pending the outcome of the probe. The committee is mandated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
Describing the incident as a stain on the nation's conscience, Shettima emphasized that the responsibility of government to protect the life and dignity of every Nigerian does not cease when a citizen is taken into custody. He stressed that the Tinubu administration would not prejudge the investigation but would ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were thoroughly established and responsibility determined.
The independent committee inaugurated by the federal government is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, with former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), as a member. The committee's report is expected to lay the foundation for justice and closure for the bereaved families.
Shettima stated that the federal government's response went beyond determining the immediate cause of the deaths, saying accountability and due process remain fundamental obligations of the state. He emphasized that whoever is found culpable must answer before the law and that the government's duty to the bereaved families outlives the condolence visit.
The vice president's visit to Niger State was aimed at conveying the federal government's sympathies to the people of the state and the bereaved families. He met with Governor Mohammed Bago and other stakeholders to discuss the incident and the government's response. The federal government's actions are aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of suspects in custody and the need for accountability in the nation's law enforcement agencies. The government's response is expected to address these concerns and provide justice to the bereaved families. Key issues to be addressed include the circumstances surrounding the deaths, the role of NSCDC officers, and measures to prevent similar incidents.
Key points
- The federal government has constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee to probe the incident.
- The government has donated N250 million to families of the deceased.
- Vice President Shettima has assured that those responsible for the deaths will be held accountable.
