The Federal Government has formally inaugurated a 10 member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people who died while being held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.

Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji Ojo inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja following President Bola Tinubu's directive for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The detainees died on September 17 after being arrested during operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State.

The exact cause of their deaths has not been officially established.

The committee has been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit a report to the Minister of Interior.

RETIRED DSS OFFICIAL TO LEAD INVESTIGATION

The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services.

Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members include retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma and Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

Representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government are also members.

The remaining members are Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.

COMMITTEE GIVEN BROAD MANDATE

The panel has been tasked with establishing the identities of the 37 people who died and examining the circumstances surrounding their arrests and detention.

It will also investigate the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

The committee is expected to determine whether there was responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct by officials involved in the arrests, detention or handling of the detainees.

It can recommend appropriate action against anyone found responsible.

Its mandate also includes recommending compensation where appropriate and proposing measures aimed at preventing a similar incident.

The committee is authorised to access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and invite information from members of the public.

It may also bring in additional experts where necessary.

TINUBU ORDERED COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION

President Bola Tinubu ordered a comprehensive investigation following reports of the deaths.

The government has promised that the investigation will be transparent and unhindered.

Tunji Ojo said the investigation was necessary to establish what happened and ensure justice for the victims.

He expressed condolences to the families of those who died and appealed for calm while investigators carry out their work.

NSCDC OFFICERS SUSPENDED

The investigation follows the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and 20 other officers connected with the arrest, detention and handling of the detainees.

The suspensions will remain in place pending the outcome of the investigation.

Authorities have also ordered that records and other material evidence connected to the case be preserved and made available to investigators.

Tunji Ojo has warned against attempts to conceal or destroy evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation.

SURVIVORS HAVE MADE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS

The committee begins its work amid serious allegations concerning conditions inside the detention facility.

Survivors interviewed by Reuters said more than 60 detainees were packed into a cell measuring approximately five square metres.

They also alleged that guards sprayed an unidentified substance into the cell before detainees experienced breathing difficulties and began collapsing.

Those accounts have not independently established what caused the 37 deaths.

Determining the medical cause of death and whether any individuals or institutions bear responsibility will now form a central part of the investigation.

ADEYANJU SAYS VICTIMS MUST GET JUSTICE

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, one of the committee members, has said he accepted the appointment to represent the interests of the victims and help establish the truth.

Adeyanju has also said he will not accept payment for serving on the committee.

He said any attempt to shield those responsible or suppress evidence should be exposed.

His inclusion alongside security, legal, medical, community and mining sector representatives gives the committee members from several professional backgrounds.

TWO WEEK DEADLINE

The committee now has two weeks to complete its work and submit its findings to the Minister of Interior.

Its findings could determine whether officials face disciplinary or other legal action and whether compensation should be provided to the families of those who died.

The central questions remain what caused the deaths, what conditions the detainees were held under and whether actions or failures by officials contributed to the tragedy.

Until the investigation is completed, the precise cause of the deaths remains officially undetermined.