COMMITTEE SEEKS TWO-WEEK EXTENSION TO PROBE NSCDC CUSTODY DEATHS
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Independent Investigative Committee probing the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State has requested an additional two weeks to complete its investigation.
Chairman of the committee and retired DSS Deputy Director-General, Jonathan Kure, said the extension was necessary due to the volume of testimonies and documents gathered during visits to Minna, the mining site and the NSCDC State Command.
Kure said the committee had interviewed survivors, relatives of the deceased and NSCDC personnel linked to the incident. He added that the panel was awaiting forensic and pathology reports needed to conclude its findings.
The committee also identified gaps within the NSCDC, including the need for improved training and greater professionalism among personnel.
Kure assured Nigerians that the investigation would be thorough and transparent, with no cover-up, and that the final report would be submitted within the requested two-week extension.