Bago ‌‌‌‌Inaugurates 9-Member Panel To Probe Death Of 37

Apart from a committee set up and headed by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, to investigate the death of the 37 people in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Niger state Governor Mohammed Umaru-Bago has again inaugurated another nine-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

Governor Bago, who inaugurated the commission yesterday in Minna, named  Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Niger State High Court of Justice as chairman,  Mr Mohammed Ibrahim Ndamiso, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch; Dr Joseph Kolo, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service; and Mrs Hafsat Abdullahi, a Chief Magistrate.

Also named as members were Prof. Danladi Yunusa-Hakimi; Mr Abubakar Musa; Mr Habila Daniel, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP); Mrs Nana-Hauwa Isah; and Mr Babangida Sani-Muji.

According to the governor, the commission was established by law to get to the root of the incident and establish the facts surrounding the deaths of the artisanal miners.

He therefore gave the commission four weeks to complete the assignment while expressing optimism and confidence in their capacity.

The governor urged the members to conduct the inquiry objectively and in accordance with the law, noting that their findings would assist the government in taking appropriate steps. He said they should be diligent, impartial, and thorough in discharging their responsibilities.

He said they were mandated by the law establishing the commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest and legality of the custody of the deceased,  their condition and treatment while in custody.

Also, the terms of reference included investigating the circumstances and causes of the deaths, the responsibility and accountability of the officers involved, the medical and forensic evidence, as well as making general findings and appropriate recommendations.