An independent panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the death of 37 artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State will commence work Tuesday.
The panel will be inaugurated at 12 noon at the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja.
Secretary of the committee and former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Chiroma, SAN, disclosed this in a notice to the chairman, Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, and other members.
Composition of Panel
Other members of the 11-man committee are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.
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Also on the panel are Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr. George Agbakahi.
Terms of Reference
According to the Interior Ministry, the committee is mandated to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which included preteens arrested at mining sites in Niger State.
It will determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, recommend appropriate sanctions and compensation where applicable, and propose measures to prevent a recurrence.
The panel will also provide a platform for relevant authorities, families of victims, and other stakeholders to present information and evidence.
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Interior Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who constituted the committee on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, warned that any attempt to destroy evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence.
Speaker Abbas Reacts
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has commiserated with the Niger State Government over the incident.
Describing the deaths as painful, unfortunate and avoidable, Abbas welcomed President Tinubu’s order for a comprehensive probe.
He expressed hope that the investigation would provide long-lasting solutions bordering on detention guidelines, suspects’ rights and welfare, and prison congestion.
The NSCDC had on Sunday released the names of 24 personnel detained in connection with the tragedy.
