FG Sets Up Panel to Probe 37 Deaths in NSCDC Custody

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

The move follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the deaths, which occurred after the victims were detained over suspected illegal mining.

Tunji-Ojo charged the panel to establish what happened and identify any official or other person responsible for wrongdoing.

He said the committee must work independently and resist any pressure that could interfere with its findings.

According to him, justice remains the most important obligation to the families of those who died.

“The best gift the nation could offer the families of the deceased at this time is justice,” the minister said.

He also praised President Tinubu for ordering the investigation and commended the members of the committee for accepting the national assignment.

Tunji-Ojo said several members had served the country for between 35 and 40 years with what he described as distinguished records.

He urged them to conduct the inquiry in honour of the deceased and in the interest of peace and justice.

The committee will first establish the identities of the 37 deceased persons.

It will also examine how the victims were arrested and detained before their deaths.

The panel will conduct appropriate medical and forensic examinations to establish the cause and manner of death.

It will further determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred.

The committee will then recommend disciplinary measures and compensation where applicable.

It will also propose measures to prevent a similar incident from happening again.

Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all officers connected to the case to cooperate fully with the investigation.

He ordered that all relevant records and physical evidence remain intact and accessible to the committee.

The minister warned against destroying or concealing evidence or intimidating witnesses.

He also cautioned anyone against taking steps that could obstruct the inquiry.

“We owe you the truth. This committee will give you the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable,” he said.

The government had earlier suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.

The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Jonathan Kure.

Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, serves as secretary.

Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma and Prof Olayinka Buhari, a professor of histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

The panel also includes the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman; retired Permanent Secretary Idris Kuta; and Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria.

Lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi are also members.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Kure said the appointment represented a call to national service rather than a privilege.

He assured the families of the deceased and Nigerians that the panel would base its findings on evidence.

Kure said the committee would approach the assignment without sentiment or influence from media reports.

He expressed confidence that the investigation would help restore public confidence in the country.

The committee is expected to begin work immediately and submit its report within two weeks.