Niger miners’ deaths: Tinubu orders probe as Bago warns against premature conclusions

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State.

 

The President also directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, negligence or dereliction of duty be prosecuted.

 

The deaths occurred after the NSCDC arrested about 65 suspected illegal miners during operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna on September 15 and 16.

 

The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak.

 

However, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago cautioned against drawing conclusions on the cause of death, saying investigations were still ongoing.

 

Bago said some of the bodies had burns, while others were found with blood or foam in their mouths, raising the possibilities of poisoning or suffocation.

 

“We really don’t know what happened but investigation will unravel the truth,” the governor said.

 

He said forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies, were being conducted to establish the cause of the deaths.

 

Bago also disclosed that possible causes under investigation included suffocation resulting from overcrowding in the detention facility and exposure to hazardous chemicals associated with illegal mining.

 

Following the incident, the governor imposed a 24-hour curfew in parts of Minna after residents took to the streets in protest over the deaths. Reports also alleged that security operatives used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse protesters.

 

Human rights organisation, Global Rights, called for an investigation into the alleged use of live ammunition during the protests, stressing that security agencies must respect the right to life and peaceful assembly.

 

The organisation said, “We call for an immediate investigation into the reported use of live ammunition, full accountability where violations are established, and safeguards to ensure that grieving families and protesters can seek justice without intimidation or retaliation.”

 

Meanwhile, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending a full-scale investigation.

 

Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate and said the government’s priority remained the protection of lives.

 

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, also deployed a high-powered team to Niger State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

 

President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the fact that the victims were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.

 

“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody,” Tinubu said.

 

He directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate with all investigative authorities and ensure that the probe was comprehensive, transparent and unhindered.

 

“The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” the President added.

 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also called for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation, urging that its findings be made public.

 

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, demanded independent autopsies, disclosure of the identities and detention records of the deceased, compensation for their families and prosecution of officials found responsible.

 

The party said, “Thirty-seven Nigerians entered government custody alive. Their families are now being asked to receive their bodies.”

 

The Executive Director of the Renevlyn Development Initiative, Philip Jakpor, similarly called for immediate autopsies and publication of the findings.

 

He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrests and detention of the miners, urging authorities to investigate the identities of those behind the mining operations.

 

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, described the incident as unfortunate and assured that the investigation would be transparent.

 

The government has also ordered the suspension of mining activities at the affected site as investigations continue.