37 deaths in NSCDC custody: FG inaugurates probe, vows to expose culprits

Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo 
Minister of Interior 

.... As Tunji-Ojo charges members of the committee to conduct the investigation independently and without interference, saying the families of the deceased deserved justice.

.... Says the committee must be free from “influences, persuasions, overtures and scenarios” capable of derailing efforts to establish the truth about what happened.

....The panel is expected to commence its assignment immediately and submit its report within two weeks.

The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to probe the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.

The committee, inaugurated in Abuja by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was constituted on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.

The minister commended President Tinubu for his personal concern over the matter and for directing the immediate constitution of the investigative panel.

He also praised the members of the committee, noting that several of them had rendered between 35 and 40 years of distinguished service to the country before their retirement.

Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the panel on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, urged the members to carry out the assignment in honour of the deceased and in the interest of lasting peace in the country.

The committee is expected to establish the identities of the 37 deceased persons and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.

It is also mandated to conduct appropriate medical and forensic examinations to establish the cause and manner of death.

The panel will further determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures, compensation where applicable, as well as steps to prevent a recurrence.

The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all officers connected to the matter to cooperate fully with the committee.

He also ordered that all records and material evidence relating to the incident be preserved and made available to the investigators.

Tunji-Ojo warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.

He assured Nigerians that the investigation would uncover the truth, irrespective of the status of anyone who might be found culpable.

“We owe you the truth. This committee will give you the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable,” the minister said.

Committee members

The committee is chaired by a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while a former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, serves as secretary.

Other members are a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hosea Hassan Karma; a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof Olayinka Buhari; and the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman.

The panel also has a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Idris Kuta; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper representative, Zainab Suleiman Okino; and a public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Kure said the appointment was not a privilege but a call to national service.

He assured Nigerians, particularly the grieving families, that the panel would approach the assignment with open minds and would not be influenced by sentiments or media speculation.

Kure said the committee would base its findings strictly on facts established during its investigation, adding that its integrity would remain intact throughout the exercise.

He expressed the hope that the outcome of the inquiry would help restore hope and public confidence in the country.

The committee’s secretary, Chiroma, in a vote of thanks, appreciated President Tinubu and the Minister of Interior for the confidence reposed in the members.

He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to conducting an independent, impartial, fair and just inquiry.

The panel is expected to commence its assignment immediately and submit its report within two weeks.