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 (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The President directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, negligence or dereliction of duty should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations around the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Tinubu 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.
He ordered investigators to examine the circumstances of the arrests, the detainees’ condition upon arrival, detention conditions, the number of people held at the facility, medical care provided and the events leading to their deaths.
The President also stressed that the suspension of officers involved in the incident should not replace a proper investigation into possible criminal responsibility.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had earlier suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered an investigation.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago confirmed the deaths and said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies were being conducted to determine the causes.
Following protests and unrest over the incident, Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state. Several properties, including transport company buses, a bank branch, political party offices and private businesses, were reportedly vandalised.
Tinubu appealed for calm among affected families and communities, saying the government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
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