By Excellence Oseose
The Federal Government has 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 (NSCDC) in Niger State.
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The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, said no officer found culpable in the deaths would be protected, regardless of their position.
“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.
Tunji-Ojo said the committee was constituted on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
He charged the committee to work independently and without interference, saying its members must resist any influence, persuasion or overture capable of undermining the search for the truth.
According to him, justice remains the best gift the country can offer the families of the deceased, describing it as a debt owed to Nigerians who lost their lives.
The committee’s mandate includes establishing the identities of the deceased, investigating the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, and determining the cause and manner of death through appropriate medical and forensic examinations.
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It is also expected to establish whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred, as well as recommend appropriate disciplinary action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to fully cooperate with the investigation, stressing that all records and material evidence relating to the incident must be preserved and made available to the committee.
He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Mr Jonathan Kure (Rtd.), described the appointment as a call to national service rather than a privilege.
Kure assured Nigerians and the families of the deceased that the committee would conduct its assignment with open minds and without being influenced by sentiment or media speculation.
He said the committee would base its findings strictly on facts established during its investigation and pledged that its integrity would remain intact throughout the exercise.
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The committee comprises Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, as Chairman; Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, as Secretary; and eight other members drawn from the security, medical, legal, public service, mining, media and civil society sectors.
The committee is expected to commence its assignment immediately and submit its report within two weeks.