The investigative panel probing the deaths of 37 miners in Niger State has assured their families of a fair and transparent process, saying it will determine what went wrong and establish responsibility where necessary.
Members of the panel on a courtesy visit to Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, at the Government House in Minna.
The 10-member Independent Investigative Committee set up by the Federal Government to probe the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna has assured affected families that its findings will help bring succour to those impacted by the incident.
The Chairman of the committee and retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure, gave the assurance when he led members of the panel on a courtesy visit to Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, at the Government House in Minna.
Kure said the committee was in Niger State to begin the assignment given to it by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Members of the panel on a courtesy visit to Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, at the Government House in Minna.
He disclosed that the medical team had commenced its work shortly after the committee was inaugurated, explaining that the early start was necessary to preserve and establish important evidence that could help determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The committee chairman assured the people of Niger State and the affected families that the panel would remain independent and conduct the investigation fairly.
He said the committee would work to establish what went wrong and determine responsibility where necessary, while ensuring that anyone found not to have been involved was treated fairly.
“We will do our best to unravel what went wrong and apportion blame where blame needs to go. Anybody who has been brought into this that has nothing to do with it, where we see it, we will also be fair to such a person,” Kure said.
Members of the panel on a courtesy visit to Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, at the Government House in Minna.
He also condoled with the government and people of Niger State, describing the incident as a matter of concern to both the state and the country.
Responding, Governor Umaru Bago thanked the committee for the visit and pledged the full cooperation and support of the Niger State Government to enable it discharge its responsibilities effectively.
Bago expressed confidence that the committee, comprising professionals from relevant sectors, would establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 artisanal miners.
“The world is watching, and the committee consists of people of integrity across relevant sectors. I believe they will do justice,” the governor said.
