NBA Minna sets up committee to probe deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody

…Niger govt lifts curfew Monday The Minna Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has constituted a 13-member ad hoc investigative committee to conduct an independent probe into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. Legal practitioner, Abdullahi Jibril, has been designated as chairman of the investigative committee. The directive, contained in a joint statement signed by the NBA Minna Branch Chairman, Ibrahim Mohammed Ndamiso, and Secretary, Solomon Mamman Jiyah, followed growing public concern and conflicting accounts surrounding the deaths. According to the NBA, preliminary information indicated that the deceased, identified as suspected artisanal miners, including minors and internally displaced persons, were apprehended during multi-agency security operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around the M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna. The association said the circumstances surrounding the deaths raised fundamental constitutional questions relating to the right to life, human dignity, personal liberty and fair hearing, as guaranteed under Sections 33 to 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. The development came as the NSCDC announced the suspension and detention of its Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and 23 other personnel in connection with the deaths. Read also: FG orders probe into deaths of alleged illegal miners The Corps said the affected personnel had been taken into protective custody at its national headquarters in Abuja, where they were undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings. According to Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC spokesman, three additional personnel were also suspended, bringing the total number of officers facing disciplinary action to 27. Afolabi said the action followed a joint operation involving the Commandant-General’s Special Investigation Squad and was aimed at ensuring that all personnel linked to the alleged misconduct were available for investigation by the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other panels. He said the Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had assured Nigerians that due process, transparency and accountability would be observed in handling the matter. “Every personnel found culpable will face the full weight of internal disciplinary measures and the law,” Afolabi said. He added that the officers had been in protective custody since September 17 and were undergoing “rigorous interrogation and administrative disciplinary action”. Read also: How Niger State’s gold rush became a death trap for miners The NSCDC spokesman noted that the personnel would be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution. Meanwhile, the Niger State Government held a special prayer session for the 37 deceased miners at the Tunga Central Mosque in Minna. The prayer, led by Jibrin Isah, the Chief Imam of Minna, was held for the repose of the souls of the deceased and to seek comfort for their families. Prayers were also offered for Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and other state leaders for guidance in addressing the situation. The governor subsequently lifted the 12-hour curfew imposed on Minna following protests over the deaths. The curfew, which restricted movement between 6pm and 6am, was imposed after youths took to the streets to protest the deaths, with reports of destruction of property in parts of the state capital. The lifting of the restriction, effective Monday, September 21, is expected to restore normal movement and further stabilise the situation in Minna. The deaths have triggered public concern and calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the suspected miners while in NSCDC custody. Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date Open In Whatsapp