The Federal Government has warned that anyone found attempting to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or frustrate investigations into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State will face prosecution.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja while inaugurating a 10-member independent investigative committee constituted to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all officers connected with the incident to preserve and surrender all relevant documents, records and material evidence to the panel.
The minister said any attempt to interfere with the investigation would constitute a serious offence.
“Any attempt by anybody to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct this investigation will be treated as a serious offence against the nation and it will not be tolerated,” Tunji-Ojo warned.
He added, “If it ever happens, I give you my word, the full hammer of the law will descend on such an individual.”
The 37 suspected illegal miners died on September 17 while in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State, after they were arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on September 15 and 16.
The minister said the Federal Government was determined to establish what happened and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable, irrespective of status or position.
“To Nigerians, I say this: we owe you the truth. This committee will give you the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, or any individual will be shielded if found culpable,” he said.
He appealed to the families of the deceased to remain calm, assuring them that the government would not abandon them.
Tunji-Ojo also charged the committee to produce findings capable of leading to concrete action, insisting that its report would not be ignored or “swept under the carpet.”
“We will call a meeting like this; we will present the report, and whoever needs to be prosecuted will be prosecuted, and whoever needs to be dealt with in line with the law will be dealt with,” he said.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure.
Its mandate includes establishing the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances of their arrest and detention and determining the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
The panel is also expected to determine whether there was responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate sanctions, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
It has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
The deaths have generated widespread public concern, particularly over the conditions under which the detainees were held.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, saying the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.
However, survivors and relatives have raised allegations concerning overcrowding, poor ventilation and the spraying of an unidentified substance inside the detention facility. Those allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been established as the cause of the deaths.
The Federal Government has already suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and other officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of investigations. The government subsequently released the names of the suspended personnel.
The NSCDC has also conducted a preliminary investigation, with personnel linked to the incident paraded at its national headquarters in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has taken over the scene and commenced its own investigation following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure accountability.
The latest Federal Government probe is expected to bring together the various strands of the investigation and establish what led to the deaths of the 37 detainees.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the investigation comes amid growing demands from families and members of the public for transparency over the deaths and accountability for any official found responsible.
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