The Independent Committee of Inquiry investigating the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has commenced its sittings.

The committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and held its inaugural meeting immediately after members were sworn in.

In a statement on Wednesday, the committee’s Secretary, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, said members adopted a work plan to guide the investigation.

The committee is expected to visit relevant sites, engage government agencies and interview survivors, suspects and other individuals with information that could help establish what happened.

It will also obtain documents and other materials considered necessary to determine the facts surrounding the reported deaths.

The committee’s medical team has already commenced work to establish the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths.

The panel is also inviting members of the public and interested organisations to submit memoranda that could assist the investigation.

It said details on how and where the memoranda will be submitted, including arrangements for physical presentations, will be announced later.

The committee assured the public that the inquiry would be thorough, fair, transparent and evidence-based, adding that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.