The Minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday, warned the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other relevant stakeholders against tampering with material evidence linked to the death of 37 miners in Niger State.
Tunji-Ojo warned that any officer or person found culpable would be appropriately dealt with in accordance with the law.
He issued the warning in Abuja during the inauguration of the Investigative committee to probe the death of the miners in Minna, Nigeria State.
Recently, 37 illegal miners died while in custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna, Niger State.
The illegal miners died while being held by the NSCDC after enforcement action was carried out around Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate, in Minna, Niger State.
Following the incident, the federal government had inaugurated a 10-member committee to investigate the death of the alleged illegal miners.
However, the minister said: “I have directed the NSCDC leadership to cooperate with the committee and all reports and material evidence linked to this incident, I have directed that they must be preserved and made available.
“Let me sound a very strong note of warning to NSCDC and all other stakeholders here that any attempt by anybody to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct this investigation will be treated as a serious offense against the nation and it will not be tolerated.
“If that happens, I give you my word the full hammer of the law would decent on such a person. To Nigerians, I say this, we owe you the truth and this committee will give you the truth.
“No officer, no matter how highly placed or any individual, not just officer will be shielded if found culpable.
“To the families who lost loved ones, I appeal for calm and patience because this government will not and never abandon you.”
