FG names panel, suspends NSCDC officers over Niger custody deaths

The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and 20 other officers after the deaths of 37 people held by the corps over suspected illegal mining.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also named a 10-member independent committee to investigate the arrests, detention and deaths. The detainees died on Thursday, September 17, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.

The latest action follows earlier steps in the case, including the prosecution review reported here. The new committee is expected to identify the deceased, examine how they were arrested and held, establish the cause and circumstances of death, and recommend responsibility, compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a repeat.

Punch reported that the suspended officers include the state commandant, eight deputy commandants, five assistant commandants, three chief corps assistants, one assistant superintendent of corps, two corps assistants and one driver. The suspension is to remain in place while the independent investigation continues.

The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services Jonathan Kure, with Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, as secretary.

Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma, Professor Olayinka Buhari, representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government, Miners Association of Nigeria national secretary Liman Sulaiman, lawyer Deji Adeyanju, journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.

Tunji-Ojo warned that any attempt to destroy or hide evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the inquiry would be treated as a serious offence. The committee has two weeks to submit its report to the minister.

Source: Punch