Niger Judicial Commission Begins Sitting Tuesday Over Deaths Of 37 Miners

The Niger State Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna will begin sitting on Tuesday.

The Commission is headed by Justice Mohammed Mohammed and is expected to examine the findings of the committee led by the Niger State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, which has completed the collation of evidence from the government’s perspective on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The findings of the deputy governor’s committee are expected to be submitted to the state Judicial Commission of Inquiry as well as the committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Interior.

The Federal Ministry of Interior’s committee is expected to begin its sitting on Monday and determine the alleged involvement of the 20 NSCDC officials already in detention over the incident.

The state judicial commission is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and make recommendations aimed at ensuring justice for the families of the victims.

The deputy governor-led committee has also recommended palliative measures for the families of the deceased, while the state government has placed a total ban on mining activities in Niger State, as announced by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.

It was not immediately clear when the Federal Ministry of Interior’s committee would visit Niger State or how its findings would be harmonised with those of the state Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

Meanwhile, Governor Bago said the judicial commission was expected to work with practical evidence to ensure justice, urging the families of the deceased to remain calm.