News Investigators/ The Centre for Peace, Transparency and Accountability (CPTA) has called for further scrutiny of the investigation into the deaths of 33 suspected illegal miners.
The miners reportedly died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger.
CPTA’s Executive Director, Comrade Patrick Onomuodeke, made the call at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the investigation should establish how the miners died and identify those responsible, where the evidence warrants it.
Mr Onomuodeke questioned whether the investigative committee adequately examined the operational procedures followed during the operation and the roles of officers involved.
He referred to information in the committee’s report which, according to CPTA, indicated that clearance had not been obtained from the Zonal Commandant or the NSCDC national headquarters before the operation.
He said the circumstances surrounding the operation required further examination to establish whether the relevant procedures were followed.
The CPTA director also questioned whether the committee adequately examined the Zonal Commandant’s role, including whether the officer was invited to give evidence.
He urged investigators to assess the responsibilities of officers at different levels of command based on the available evidence.
Onomuodeke also raised concerns about reported disagreements during the committee’s proceedings, stressing the need for compliance with its terms of reference.
He further cited media reports alleging that the detention cell where the miners died had been washed, disinfected and renumbered.
He called for verification of the reports to establish whether any actions taken at the facility affected the preservation of potential evidence.
Onomuodeke urged the Minister of Interior to ensure that the issues raised by CPTA were considered and that the investigation’s findings and recommendations were handled transparently.
He said a credible process should uphold fairness, accountability and due process while helping to establish the facts, restore public confidence and guide appropriate action.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, received the report of a 10-member investigative committee on Tuesday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to investigate the deaths.
The committee, chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, attributed the deaths to severe overcrowding, poor ventilation, heat stress and dehydration.
It recommended disciplinary action and prosecution for officers found culpable, as well as compensation of N30 million to each of the 33 bereaved families and N10 million to each of 41 survivors.
Tunji-Ojo said the report had been forwarded to the Attorney-General of the Federation for judicial action and pledged accountability for officers found responsible.
NAN