Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
Tinubu directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, negligence or other misconduct should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The President gave the directive in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, describing the deaths as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
Tinubu said the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be established, stressing that suspected involvement in illegal mining did not remove the detainees’ rights to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.
He said, “Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, such an officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability.”
The President added that while the Federal Government would continue its efforts against illegal mining and other criminal activities, enforcement agencies must operate within the law and respect the rights of people in 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.
“Government will not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect the lives placed under their care,” he said.
Tinubu directed investigators to examine the arrests in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, detention conditions, the number of people held at the facility, medical care provided and the events preceding their deaths.
He also stressed that the suspension of officers involved in the matter would not replace any criminal investigation or prosecution where evidence establishes wrongdoing.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The deaths followed enforcement operations against suspected illegal miners in Niger State on September 15 and 16. Governor Umar Bago subsequently confirmed that 37 suspects had died in NSCDC custody, with medical and forensic examinations, including autopsies, initiated to determine the cause of death.
The NSCDC also constituted an investigative team, while the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered an investigation. The Federal Government has also pledged that anyone found culpable will not be shielded.
Protests followed the deaths, prompting Bago to impose a 24-hour curfew after vandalism was recorded at the State Transport Company, a Sterling Bank branch, political party offices and private businesses.
Tinubu directed the Interior Ministry and NSCDC leadership to cooperate with investigators and ensure that no official interfered with efforts to establish the facts.
He appealed for calm among affected families and communities, saying, “We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. The government must enforce the law firmly, but it must also obey the law. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable,” he said.
