Inquiry begins into reported deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody
An independent committee investigating the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of Nigeria’s Civil Defence Corps has begun its work. The panel says it will visit relevant sites, interview survivors and others, collect evidence and use a medical team to examine the causes and circumstances of the deaths.
An independent committee investigating the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has begun sitting. The committee was inaugurated by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Its secretary, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, said the panel held its first meeting immediately after members were sworn in and adopted a work plan for the investigation.
Under that plan, the committee will visit relevant sites, meet government agencies and interview survivors, suspects and other people with material knowledge of the incident. It will also collect documents and other evidence needed to establish the facts. The committee’s medical team has already started work to determine the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths.
The available statement does not give further details about the identities of those who died or the circumstances in which the deaths occurred. The panel has asked the public to support its work and decided to invite memoranda from interested individuals and organisations. It said information about submitting memoranda, including arrangements for physical presentations, would be announced later.
The committee described its inquiry as thorough, fair, transparent and evidence-based, and said it would keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.
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