Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria has suspended 20 security officers and appointed an independent 10-member panel to investigate the deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, the interior ministry said on Saturday, after President Bola Tinubu ordered a transparent inquiry into the incident, Prime Business Africa reports.
The 37 people were detained on suspicion of illegal mining, according to the ministry, which said the deaths occurred on Thursday, Sept. 17. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the incident as deeply disturbing and said the government owed the families of the deceased and the public a transparent account of what happened.
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The panel will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths. It will also determine whether responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct was involved and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.
The panel is chaired by retired Department of State Services Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, while former Nigeria Law School Director-General Isa Hayatu Chiroma will serve as secretary. Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma and Olayinka Buhari, a professor of histopathology and former chief medical director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
Representatives of the Minna Emirate Council, Niger State government and the Miners Association of Nigeria are also members, alongside lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint newspaper journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.
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The 37 people were detained on suspicion of illegal mining, according to the ministry, which said the deaths occurred on Thursday, Sept. 17. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the incident as deeply disturbing and said the government owed the families of the deceased and the public a transparent account of what happened.
The panel will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths. It will also determine whether responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct was involved and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.
The panel is chaired by retired Department of State Services Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, while former Nigeria Law School Director-General Isa Hayatu Chiroma will serve as secretary. Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma and Olayinka Buhari, a professor of histopathology and former chief medical director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
Representatives of the Minna Emirate Council, Niger State government and the Miners Association of Nigeria are also members, alongside lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint newspaper journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.
The committee has two weeks to submit its report to the minister. It may co-opt relevant experts, visit locations connected to the incident, examine documents and request memoranda from members of the public.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to preserve records and material evidence linked to the incident and cooperate fully with investigators. He warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the inquiry would be treated as serious offences.
The ministry released the names of 20 officers suspended in addition to the Niger State commandant. They include personnel responsible for station security, arrests and investigations, intelligence and investigations, legal affairs and guard duties.
The minister offered condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
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The committee has two weeks to submit its report to the minister. It may co-opt relevant experts, visit locations connected to the incident, examine documents and request memoranda from members of the public.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to preserve records and material evidence linked to the incident and cooperate fully with investigators. He warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the inquiry would be treated as serious offences.
The ministry released the names of 20 officers suspended in addition to the Niger State commandant. They include personnel responsible for station security, arrests and investigations, intelligence and investigations, legal affairs and guard duties.
The minister offered condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
