President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full 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 should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Tinubu’s directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President said the circumstances surrounding the deaths were grave and required a transparent investigation, stressing that no Nigerian should lose their life while in government custody because of negligence, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
He maintained that the government’s fight against illegal mining and other criminal activities must be conducted within the confines of the law, adding that suspects in custody retained their rights to life, dignity and humane treatment.
Tinubu further directed that the investigation should establish the circumstances of the arrests, the physical condition of the detainees upon arrival, the number of people held at the facility, the conditions of detention, the medical care provided and what led to their deaths.
He also warned that the suspension of officers involved in the matter should not be treated as a substitute for determining criminal responsibility where evidence supports prosecution.
The 37 victims were among suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC had initially reported that some detainees were found dead following a suspected disease outbreak, while investigations and medical examinations were ordered to determine the actual cause of death.
Following the incident, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered a full-scale investigation, while the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, was suspended and directed to report to the corps’ national headquarters in Abuja.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, also confirmed the deaths and said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies were being conducted to establish the cause.
His administration subsequently constituted a committee of inquiry into the incident.
The deaths triggered protests in Minna, with authorities imposing a 24-hour curfew following unrest and reports of damage to government and private property.
Tinubu appealed for calm among the families and communities affected, assuring them that the Federal Government would establish the facts and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.