The lid is blowing off the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
The Federal Government’s 10-man independent investigative panel has blamed the security agency for institutional lapses and overzealousness in handling the arrest and detention.
Panel Exposes Rot In NSCDC
Briefing reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, Chairman of the panel, Jonathan Kure, said preliminary findings show serious professional failures.
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“There were elements of institutional lapses, elements of overzealousness on the part of officers and men of the service,” Kure declared.
He added that there are “elements that will require more training and professionalism in the NSCDC to enable personnel grapple with matters of such magnitude.”
The panel said it has made appreciable progress – inspecting the custody facility, conducting autopsies, taking witness statements from NSCDC personnel, survivors, families, and collecting forensic evidence.
But justice will have to wait.
Why We Need More Time – Panel
Kure appealed to the Federal Government to extend the deadline from October 7 to October 21 to submit a credible report.
He cited three reasons: huge volume of testimony requiring meticulous review, pending forensic and pathology reports essential to establishing cause of death, and the need to give suspended officers fair hearing.
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“The large volume of testimony and documentary evidence requiring meticulous review, the pending forensic reports, and the need to afford all persons implicated a fair opportunity to respond,” he explained.
Kure commended the Ministry of Interior, NSCDC, Niger State government, Minna Emirate, and survivors for cooperation.
He also commiserated with President Bola Tinubu and the Air Force over the Ondo crash, describing the fallen personnel as gallant heroes who died as patriots.
He promised the panel will do thorough job and ensure justice is done.
