The Federal Government has named human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, among members of a 10-man independent panel to probe the deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who announced the panel on Saturday, also confirmed the suspension of 20 NSCDC officers pending the outcome of investigation.
The panel is chaired by a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr Jonathan Kure, with former DG of the Nigerian Law School, Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, as Secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof Olayinka Buhari; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino; Dr George Agbakahi; and representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government.
The committee has two weeks to unravel the identities of the deceased, circumstances of their arrest and detention, cause of death, and determine culpability.
He said the action followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a transparent probe into the September 17 incident involving suspected illegal miners, warning that tampering with evidence would be treated as a criminal offence.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
He described the reported deaths as deeply disturbing, stressing that the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of what transpired.
The Minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and ensure that all records and material evidence relating to the incident were preserved and made available to investigators.
He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
Meanwhile, the government released the names and designations of 20 additional NSCDC officers suspended in connection with the incident, apart from the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
They are SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, O/C Station Guard; ASCI Hassan Mohammed, Station Guard; CCA Bala Mohammed, Station Guard; CSC Oluwadare Sunday, Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation; DCC Obafemi Elvis, Arresting Officer; CSC Annas Shitto Lamino, Arresting Officer; DCC Philip Ajayi, HOD INT/INV; ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado, O/C Legal; and ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, Day/Night Duty Officer.
Others are IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi, all listed as guard-duty personnel.
The Minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing.