Panel Begins Investigation Into 37 Miners’ Deaths
The Independent Committee of Inquiry into the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced its investigation following its inauguration by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the committee’s secretary, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN.
According to the statement, the committee held its inaugural meeting immediately after being sworn in and adopted a work plan to guide its investigation.
In line with the work plan, the committee will visit all relevant sites, engage with government agencies, and interview survivors, suspects, and other persons with material knowledge of the incident.
It will also gather documents and other materials necessary to establish the full facts surrounding the deaths.
The committee’s medical team has already begun work to determine the cause, mechanism, and manner of the deaths.
The committee appealed to members of the public to support its work and resolved to invite memoranda from interested individuals and organisations.
It said details regarding the submission of memoranda, including the venue and date for physical presentations, would be communicated in due course.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a thorough, fair, transparent, and evidence-based inquiry, adding that it would keep the public informed as its investigation progresses.
The 37 detainees died on September 17 while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command. The Federal Government subsequently inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to determine the immediate and remote causes of the deaths.
