FG Inaugurates Panel Probing Miners’ Deaths

The Federal Government has inaugurated the panel set up to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners arrested by the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

The miners, who died between Thursday and Friday, were locked up in a tiny cell were they were reportedly suffocated to death.

President Bola Tinubu had lamented over the incident and directed investigation.

Subsequently, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths.

The Minister also directed the suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the independent committee’s investigation.

Describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, the Minister said the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.

The independent committee was asked to establish the identities of the deceased, and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

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

The Minister also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the Committee, while further directing that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to the investigators.

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

Members of the Committee are:

1.Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services, as Chairman

2.Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, as Secretary

3.AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)

4.Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

5.Representative of the Minna Emirate Council

6.Representative of the Niger State Government

7.Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria

8.Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist

9.Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper

10. Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst.

Tunji-Ojo inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Tuesday. It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister.