BREAKING: 37 Miners’ Death: Probe Panel Seeks 2-Week Extension, Flags Institutional Gaps, Overzealousness

The committee investigating the death of 37 miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had sought a two-week extension from the federal government, as its probe flagged institutional gaps, overzealousness and concerns over professionalism in the handling of the incident.

The committee that was inaugurated two weeks ago to inviigate the miners deaths cited the complexity of the case and the need to produce a thorough and credible report.

Chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, who provided an update on the investigation, said issues bordering on institutional gaps, overzealousness and professionalism had emerged in the course of the probe of the 37 Miners’ Death.

Kure, however, cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, stressing that the committee was still reviewing a large volume of evidence and testimonies before arriving at its final findings.

He said the committee had made appreciable progress, including inspecting the custody facility, conducting autopsies, taking statements from NSCDC personnel, survivors, bereaved families and other witnesses, as well as collecting documentary and forensic evidence.

According to him, the committee was also awaiting critical forensic and pathology reports that would assist it in establishing the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determining their causes.

“We don’t want to be pre-emptive. We have received large volumes of testimony requiring meticulous review and collation,” Kure said.

“There were also pending forensic and pathology reports that were essential to establishing the cause of death. We also needed to afford all persons implicated, including the already suspended officers, the opportunity to respond.”

Kure said allowing those implicated to respond was necessary to ensure that the committee’s eventual findings and recommendations could withstand scrutiny and command public confidence.

He explained that the request for an additional two weeks did not indicate that the investigation had stalled, but was aimed at ensuring that no critical aspect of the case was overlooked.

“We want to do a clean job that will be commendable,” he said.

Giving further details of the investigation, Kure said the committee had interacted with survivors of the incident and members of the bereaved families to obtain first-hand accounts of what had transpired.

He said the panel had also engaged the affected Niger State Command of the NSCDC and personnel listed in connection with the incident, whether directly or indirectly.

The committee, he added, had visited the mining site as part of its fact-finding activities.

Kure said the site visit had been particularly important because it enabled the panel to examine the physical environment and obtain additional information that could assist in reconstructing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He acknowledged the cooperation received from the NSCDC, saying the committee had been able to make progress because of the access granted to relevant facilities, personnel and records.

According to him, the investigation had involved the examination of both oral and documentary evidence, alongside forensic materials expected to assist the panel in arriving at an objective conclusion.

Kure said the peculiarities surrounding the case had made it necessary for the committee to take its time rather than rush to submit its report.

“We don’t want to rush to a conclusion,” he said, adding that the objective had been to produce a report that would provide a clear account of what happened and make recommendations capable of addressing any shortcomings identified.

He disclosed that the committee had formally written to the federal government requesting an additional two weeks to conclude its assignment.

“The additional time will enable us to properly review the evidence gathered, reconcile the various accounts and ensure that our final report is comprehensive,” he said.

Kure further explained that the emerging issues around institutional gaps, overzealousness and professionalism were being carefully examined by the committee as part of its broader assessment of the circumstances that led to the deaths.

He stressed that the panel’s findings would be based on evidence gathered during the investigation and that the committee remained committed to producing a report that would be credible, balanced and capable of guiding appropriate action by the authorities.