FG Sets Up Panel To Probe Deaths Of 37 Illegal Miners

The federal government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a full and transparent investigation into the deaths.

The development followed the NSCDC’s disclosure that the suspects were arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around the Lt Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.

NSCDC Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, had said scores of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following what he described as a suspected outbreak of disease.

Following the deaths, the federal government suspended Aniviye and ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Tunji-Ojo subsequently directed the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the independent committee’s investigation.

The minister described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.

He said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

“The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths,” he said.

The committee was also directed to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee.

He also ordered the preservation and release of all records and material evidence connected to the incident.

“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.

The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Isa Hayatu Chiroma, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members are retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hosea Karma; Olayinka Buhari, former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.

Others are Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, George Agbakahi.

Tunji-Ojo said the committee could co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.

The committee has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report.