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The Federal Government has appointed the Chairman of the Editorial Board of Blueprint Newspapers, Mrs. Zainab Suleiman Okino, as a member of the 10-member independent committee constituted to investigate the death of 37 persons who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Okino joins a group of professionals from the security, legal, medical, mining, human rights and public affairs sectors as the federal government seeks to establish what led to the detainees’ deaths and determine whether any individual or institution is responsible for the incident.
The committee was constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Saturday, September 19, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a full, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths. The victims reportedly died on Thursday, September 17, while being held by the Niger State Command of the NSCDC over suspected illegal mining. Project reports
Okino joins the group of professionals
Okino’s appointment places a seasoned media professional on the investigative committee at a time when questions about the deaths have generated public concern and calls for an independent examination of the circumstances of the crash.
The Federal Government listed her as Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint newspaper. Reports on the committee’s membership also identify her as a Blueprint reporter, while Neptune Prime describes her as a board member in addition to her role as a reporter.
Its inclusion brings a media perspective to a group whose mandate covers not only the immediate circumstances of the deaths, but also the arrests, detention and treatment of those affected.
The commission was given two weeks to complete its task and submit its report to the Home Secretary. It can also co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit locations linked to the incident and request memos from members of the public.
Jonathan Kure heads the investigative commission
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will act as Secretary.
Other members include retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government.
Also part of the panel are Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Okino; and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.
The composition reflects the broad scope of the investigation, which requires expertise beyond the security agencies directly linked to the incident.
Panel to establish identity, cause of deaths
According to the federal government, one of the main responsibilities of the committee is to establish the identity of the deceased.
This aspect of the warrant is particularly significant because questions have emerged about the identities of those who have died in custody, with several reports publishing lists of names as the government investigation is expected to formally establish identities.
The committee is also expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrests and detention of the 37 people and establish the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
In addition to determining what happened, the commission is tasked with examining issues of liability, complicity, negligence and misconduct and recommending appropriate actions, including compensation, where applicable. It is also expected to make recommendations on measures that could prevent a recurrence.
The Government has instructed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officials to fully cooperate with the investigation and preserve documents and other evidence related to the incident.
Twenty NSCDC officers suspended
As part of the response to the deaths, the Minister of Interior also ordered the suspension of 20 NSCDC officers linked to the incident, in addition to the suspension of the NSCDC Commander in Niger State, Suberu Aniviye.
The suspended personnel include officers responsible for station guard duties, arrest and investigations, intelligence and investigations, legal services, day and night duties and other custodial responsibilities.
Among those suspended are SC station guard Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard ASCI Hassan Mohammed; CCA Bala Mohammed Station Guard; Sunday by the Arresting Officer and Investigating Officer CSC Oluwadare; Arrest of DCC officer Obafemi Elvis; and CSC arresting officer Annas Shitto Lamino.
Others include HOD Intelligence and Investigation DCC Philip Ajayi, ACC Legal Counsel Officer-in-Charge Stephen Tsado, ASCI Day/Night Duty Officer Alhassan Mohammed and several officers assigned to guard duties.
The suspensions are pending the outcome of the independent investigation and do not, in themselves, establish individual responsibility for the deaths.
The government is looking for answers
Announcing the panel, Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as deeply disturbing and said the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of what happened.
The minister also warned that attempts to destroy or hide evidence, intimidate witnesses or hinder investigations will be treated as serious offences.
The government’s position is that the investigation must establish the facts surrounding the deaths rather than rely on preliminary accounts of the incident.
The deaths were initially linked by the NSCDC to a suspected outbreak among inmates. However, the precise cause and circumstances of the deaths remain under investigation, with the federal government commission now expected to establish what happened before, during and after the detainees were taken into custody.
NHRC begins preliminary investigation
The federal government’s investigation is taking place in parallel with a preliminary investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The commission expressed concern about the loss of life in state custody and said its investigation would seek to establish the circumstances that led to the death.
The NHRC also called for an independent forensic autopsy and the preservation of relevant evidence, stressing that persons arrested on suspicion of a crime continue to enjoy their fundamental rights under Nigerian law and applicable international human rights instruments.
The development has also attracted calls from civil society and professional bodies for a thorough and transparent investigation.
The Northern Senators Forum, the Nigerian Bar Association and the Campaign for Democracy have all called for an independent investigation into the incident. The NBA, in particular, said it would be important for the investigation to establish the facts before any conclusions are reached about the cause of the deaths or responsibility.
The investigation is expected to establish responsibility
The investigation comes amid growing public interest in the circumstances surrounding the detention and deaths of the 37 people.
The commission is expected to examine the chain of events from the arrests to the period of detention and the circumstances in which the detainees died.
He will also have the opportunity to review relevant documents, interview people connected to the incident and visit locations considered important to his assignment.
Within two weeks, the committee is expected to present its findings and recommendations to the Minister of the Interior at the end of its work.
For Okino, her appointment places her alongside senior professionals tasked with examining an incident that has raised questions about detention procedures, custodial responsibility and accountability within security institutions.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to provide a clearer account of the circumstances surrounding the deaths, establish responsibility where the evidence supports it and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
