President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The President directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through negligence, abuse or other unlawful conduct must be arrested and prosecuted.
Tinubu gave the directive in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stressing that no Nigerian should die in government custody because of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
He said the fact that the victims were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in custody.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue to tackle illegal mining and other criminal activities but insisted that enforcement agencies must operate within the law and respect the rights of detainees.
The President directed investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the number of people held at the facility, the conditions in which they were detained, the medical attention provided and the events leading to their deaths.
He also stressed that the suspension of officers involved in the incident must not replace a proper investigation into possible criminal responsibility.
The deaths occurred after suspected illegal miners were arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, confirmed that 37 detainees had died in NSCDC custody. Forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies are being conducted to determine the scientific cause of the deaths.
The NSCDC had initially said some of the detainees were found dead following a suspected disease outbreak. However, the corps’ national leadership said the actual cause of death had not been established and warned against drawing conclusions before the completion of medical and laboratory examinations.
The Federal Government had earlier suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation into the incident. The NSCDC has also constituted an investigative panel, while the police are separately investigating the deaths.
The deaths have sparked protests in Minna, with reports of damage to public and private property. Governor Bago subsequently imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state.
Tinubu appealed for calm among the affected families and communities, assuring them that the government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
He maintained that the fight against illegal mining must not result in another violation of the law, stressing that the sanctity of human life remains non-negotiable.
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