The Independent Committee of Inquiry investigating the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced its investigation.
The committee began sitting after it was inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the committee’s secretary, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, said members held their inaugural meeting immediately after taking their oath of office.
The committee also adopted a work plan to guide its investigation.
Committee to Visit Sites, Interview Witnesses
According to the statement, the committee will visit relevant sites and engage government agencies as part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
It will also interview survivors, suspects and other individuals with material knowledge of the incident.
The committee said it would collect documents and other relevant materials needed to establish the facts.
Its medical team has also commenced work to determine the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths.
Committee Invites Public Memoranda
The committee appealed to members of the public to support its investigation and resolved to invite memoranda from interested individuals and organisations.
Details on how to submit memoranda, including the venue and date for physical presentations, will be announced later.
The committee said it remains committed to a thorough, fair, transparent and evidence-based inquiry.
It added that the public would be kept informed as the investigation progresses.
