Committee Begins Probe Into Deaths Of 37 Niger Miners In NSCDC Custody

The Independent Committee of Inquiry investigating the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) has commenced its sittings.

The committee was inaugurated by the minister of interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the secretary of the committee, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma.

According to Chiroma, the committee held its inaugural meeting immediately after its members were sworn in and adopted a work plan to guide the investigation.

He said the committee would visit all relevant sites as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The statement added that the committee would also engage relevant government agencies and interview survivors, suspects and other individuals with material knowledge of the incident.

It said the committee would gather documents and other relevant materials required to establish the facts of the matter.

“The committee’s medical team has already begun work to determine the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths,” the statement said.

The medical team’s work is expected to form part of the evidence considered by the committee in determining what led to the deaths.

The committee also appealed to members of the public to support its investigation, announcing plans to invite memoranda from interested individuals and organisations.

“Details regarding the submission of memoranda, including the venue and date for physical presentations, will be communicated in due course,” Chiroma said.

The committee assured the public that its investigation would be conducted independently and based on available evidence.

“The committee reaffirms its commitment to conducting a thorough, fair, transparent and evidence-based inquiry, and will keep the public informed as its work progresses,” the statement added.