It has reportedly recommended compensation of ₦1.4 billion, disciplinary action and prosecution of officers found responsible.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, promised that the recommendations would be implemented and said the report had been referred to the Attorney-General for judicial action.
But a report and a promise are not justice.
Families of the deceased and survivors are still demanding answers, including the return of property seized during the arrests.
The incident occurred in Niger State after suspected illegal miners were arrested and detained by NSCDC personnel.
The investigative panel found that the deaths resulted from overcrowding, extreme heat, dehydration and neglect in the detention facility.
It described the deaths as avoidable.
The findings are serious because people held in government custody are entirely dependent on the authorities for their safety and welfare.
The state has a duty to ensure that suspects are lawfully detained, properly supervised and protected from preventable harm.
A security agency cannot arrest citizens in the name of enforcing the law and then escape accountability when people die under its control.
The panel recommended compensation of ₦1.4 billion for affected families and survivors. It also recommended the dismissal and prosecution of officers found responsible.
But the public still needs a clear implementation record.
Which officers have been formally charged? Has the Attorney-General opened a case? What charges are being considered? Has any disciplinary decision been completed?
When will the affected families receive the recommended compensation? What verification process will determine the beneficiaries? Has the government provided medical, educational and psychological support to survivors and dependants?
There is another unresolved issue.
Survivors have demanded the return of motorcycles, phones, mining equipment and gold reportedly seized during the arrests.
Who is holding these items? Where are the official seizure records? Which items have been returned, and which remain outstanding?
The public also needs the full investigative report.
Published accounts have not been consistent about the final numbers used in describing the deaths and the compensation beneficiaries. The government must publish the verified list of deceased persons and survivors so that the public can reconcile the figures and affected families can confirm their entitlements.
The report should also identify the officers recommended for dismissal or prosecution and explain the institutional failures that allowed the incident to occur.
This case must not end with the suspension of a few officers or the payment of compensation.
The government must establish whether the NSCDC’s detention procedures, operational approvals, supervision, record-keeping and emergency response arrangements are adequate.
If officers ignored distress calls, who knew what was happening? Who was responsible for monitoring the detention facility? Were there operational orders? Were detention records properly maintained? Were there attempts to alter or destroy evidence?
These questions require answers backed by the panel’s findings and subsequent investigations.
The Ministry of Interior must publish a clear implementation timetable. The Attorney-General must provide an update on the judicial process. The NSCDC must disclose the disciplinary actions taken and the reforms introduced to prevent another custodial tragedy.
The victims were human beings, not statistics in an investigative report.
Their families deserve truth, justice and the support promised by the government.
The Federal Government ordered an investigation. It must now prove that the investigation will lead to consequences.
We don’t just report the news. We analyse what it means.
By Viewers Corner News