The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Monday said the federal government would ensure that the kind of tragedy witnessed in the death of miners is never repeated in Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo gave the assurance in Abuja during the the inauguration of a 10-man independent committee to probe the death of the miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Recently, 37 illegal miners died while in custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna, Niger State.
The illegal miners died while being held by the NSCDC after enforcement action was carried out around Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate, in Minna, Niger State.
Following the incident, the federal government had inaugurated a 10-member committee to investigate the death of the alleged illegal miners.
The minister pledged to ensure the committee remains free from all forms of interference during its assignment.
Tunji-Ojo also reeled out 12 mandates of the committee in unravelling the circumstances leading to the death of the alleged illegal miners in NSCDC’s custody.
According to Tunji-Ojo: “This committee is independent of me as the minister of interior, this committee must be independent of every official. Let me be clear on the committee’s mandate.
“The committee is to identify the deceased persons, ascertain the immediate and remote causes of their death, as well as the time and place of their death.
“We’ve heard various figures even though a preliminary report came to me last night but we need the committee to ascertain the authenticity of all the data.
“Identify the circumstances leading to the arrest and detention of the deceased persons by the NSCDC in Niger State.
“Examine the legality and suitability of the detention facility in question, the duration of detention, and compliance of the relevant laws with detention procedures and human rights standards.
“Investigate whether or not the deceased persons were tortured, if inhumanely treated or denied medical care or attention during their detention.
“Investigate whether or not there was negligence or professional misconduct by any officer or officers during the detention of the deceased persons.
“Review the operational mandate with the NSCDC regarding illegal mining enforcement and its rules of engagement.
“Interview all relevant persons including the officers involved, other detainees, families involved, witnesses and medical personnel, and other persons with relevant information.
“Examine medical and autopsy reports, detention records, and other relevant documents, pictures, physical and material evidence.
“Determine individual or institutional culpability.
“Recommend appropriate disciplinary, administrative or legal action against any person found culpable.
“Recommend compensation or other remedial measures for the families of the deceased where applicable. It’s unfortunate that this incident happened, but we must make sure that it does not happen again. As a country this must not be a comma but a full stop. This must never happen again.
“Make any other recommendations in line with your findings.”