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.
In a statement on Saturday, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, also released the names of the 21 officers suspended so far in connection with the incident.
This follows Friday’s directive by President Bola Tinubu for a “full and transparent” investigation into the deaths of the suspected illegal miners.
On Thursday, the NSCDC said the suspects were arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around Lt Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, the Niger state capital.
Suberu Aniviye, the NSCDC commandant in Niger state, said in a statement that “scores of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following a suspected outbreak of disease”.
Following the development, the federal government suspended the Niger state NSCDC commandant and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Tunji-Ojo directed the suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the independent committee’s investigation.
The minister described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.
According to him, “the committee is expected 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 statement reads.
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
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, retired deputy director-general, Department of State Services (DSS), while Isa Hayatu Chiroma, former director-general of the Nigeria Law School, is to serve as secretary.
Other members include Hosea Karma, a retired assistant inspector-general of police (AIG); 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.
Also on the list are Liman Sulaiman, national secretary of Miners Association of Nigeria; Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist; Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and George Agbakahi, public affairs analyst.
The minister said the committee may co-opt relevant experts, access all necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public, adding that the panel has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report.
Below is the full list of the officers so far suspended, in addition to the Niger state NSCDC commandant:
O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed
Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed
Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday
Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis
Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi
O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado
Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale
Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada
Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar
Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman
Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya
Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman
Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi
Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu
Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed
Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah
Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi