Miners’ Death: Detained NSCDC Officers To Know Fate In 14 Days – Tunji-Ojo

The federal government has revealed that the suspended and detained Niger State commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, alongside 20 other officers being investigated over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in their custody will know their fate after the conclusion of an independent investigation billed to be completed in 14 days.

The 14-day timeline was given to a 10-member independent committee constituted by the federal government to investigate the deaths, with the panel mandated to complete its assignment and submit its findings to the minister of Interior within two weeks.

The statement directed he affected officers who were involved in the arrest, investigation, legal and custodial duties relating to the victims to remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
The 10-member committee is chaired by a retired deputy director-general of the Department of State Services, Mr Jonathan Kure, while a former director-general of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma,( SAN) will serve as secretary.

Other members according to the statement are a retired assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor of Histopathology and former Chief medical director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Professor Olayinka Buhari; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State government.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who disclosed this yesterday in a statement said the development followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17.

Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the federal government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.

According to him, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrest and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

The minister said the panel would also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

He directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to preserve and make available all records and material evidence connected with the incident.

He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.

Also on the committee are the national secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and a public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.

Tunji-Ojo said the committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.

“The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the minister.

The 20 officers suspended in connection with the incident, in addition to Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, listed according to their respective ranks and roles are the O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; and Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino. Others are HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and a string of officers listed for guard duty, including IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.