By Paul Joseph
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, directing that any officer found responsible be arrested and prosecuted.
The President’s directive came amid public outrage and protests over the deaths, which reportedly involved minors and other young people arrested during enforcement operations around the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, September 17, Tinubu said no Nigerian should lose their life in government custody through negligence, abuse or inhumane treatment.
He stressed that although the Federal Government would continue its fight against illegal mining and other criminal activities, security and law-enforcement operations must comply with the law and respect the fundamental rights of detainees.
“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.
The President warned that his administration would not tolerate mass deaths arising from negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect people placed in their care.
“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 establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths, including how the suspects were arrested, their physical condition when they arrived in custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the number of detainees held at the facility and the medical treatment they received.
Investigators are also expected to determine what happened in the period immediately preceding the deaths.
The President further made clear that the suspension of officers would not end the matter, saying administrative action must not prevent criminal accountability where evidence supports prosecution.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu ordered the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigative authorities and ensure that no official interferes with the probe.
He directed that any officer whose actions, abuse or negligence are established to have contributed to the deaths must be arrested and prosecuted according to law.
“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 said.
The deaths occurred after the suspected miners were arrested at mining sites between September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC had attributed the fatalities to a suspected disease outbreak, but the explanation has been followed by public anger and demands for an independent investigation into what happened inside the detention facility.
Protests subsequently erupted in Minna as residents and relatives of some of the deceased demanded answers. The Niger State Government also imposed a 24-hour curfew in Minna following the unrest.
The Federal Government has since suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm, assuring them that the government would seek the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
Leave a Reply