37 Deceased NSCDC Detainees: Interior Minister Inaugurates 10-Man Probe C'tee

The Minister of Interior, OLUBUMI TUNJI-OJO, has inaugurated the ten-man committee to investigate the death of thirty-seven persons detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, in Minna, Niger State.

The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, JONATHAN KURE, with former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa HAYATU CHIROMA, as the secretary.

Other members of the panel include Abuja-based lawyer and human rights activist DEJI ADEYANJU, and journalist ZAINAB SULEIMAN OKINO of Blueprint Newspaper.

There is also retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof Olayinka Buhari, a former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; as well as a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.

President BOLA AHMED TINUBU approved the composition of the probe committee from Paris, France where he is currently enjoying his annual vacation.

During the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Interior Minister reminded the committee members that they have two weeks to complete their assignment.

He also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased detainees, who were arrested by the NSCDC for alleged involved in illegal mining, and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has taken over the facility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna, Niger State, where thirty-seven detainees died last week.

The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, ADAMU ELLEMAN, said he directed the Operation Flush patrol teams to secure the NSCDC facility, based on the instruction of the Inspector General of Police, OLATUNJI DISU.

CP ELLEMAN said IGP DISU ordered an investigation of the facility to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the artisanal miners and ensure accountability, transparency and respect for the constitutional rights of the deceased.