Panel begins probe into deaths of 37 illegal miners in NSCDC custody

The Independent Committee of Inquiry has begun its investigation into the deaths of 37 illegal miners who were in custody of the National Security and Criminal Detection Agency (NSCDC) in Niger State. The committee's Secretary, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, announced the committee's sitting in a statement on Wednesday. The committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Ojo, on Tuesday.

According to the Daily Trust, around 60 illegal miners were arrested and detained in an NSCDC cell, out of which 37 perished due to excessive heat, as confirmed by some survivors. The statement revealed that the committee held its inaugural meeting right after its inauguration and formulated a work plan to guide the investigation.

The committee plans to visit all relevant sites, interact with government agencies, interview survivors, suspects, and other pertinent individuals, and gather all necessary materials to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident. The medical team has already started its work to determine the causes, mechanisms, and manner of deaths.

Professor Chiroma urged the public to support the investigation and stated that the committee intends to invite memoranda from interested individuals and organizations. The committee mentioned that they would communicate the details of submitting memoranda, including the venue and date for physical presentations, at a later time.