The Federal Government’s independent committee investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has secured a two-week extension to complete and submit its report.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had constituted the committee to investigate the deaths of the miners, who were detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna, Niger State. The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure.
Kure disclosed the extension at a press conference on Tuesday, saying the panel had made “appreciable progress” but could not meet its initial October 7 deadline because of the volume of evidence gathered. The committee had visited the custody facility, conducted autopsies, interviewed NSCDC personnel, survivors, families of the deceased and other witnesses, and collected documentary and forensic evidence.
The chairman said preliminary findings pointed to institutional gaps and “an overzealousness” by some officers, stressing the need for greater professionalism in handling sensitive cases. He added that pending forensic and pathology reports were also needed to establish the causes of death.
Kure said the additional two weeks would allow the committee to review the evidence and give all persons implicated, including suspended officers, a fair opportunity to respond before reaching its conclusions.
He said the extension was necessary to ensure that the committee’s findings and recommendations would “withstand scrutiny and command public confidence”, adding that the Federal Government had approved the request.
