President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The President directed that any officials found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, negligence or other actions be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, Tinubu described the reported deaths as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
He stressed that every Nigerian has a right to life and humane treatment, adding that no citizen should die in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse or dereliction of duty.
Tinubu directed that the investigation cover the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, detention conditions, the number of people held at the facility, medical attention provided and the events leading to the deaths.
The President also warned that the suspension of officers must not replace the determination of criminal responsibility where evidence warrants prosecution. He directed the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigators and ensure that no officer interferes with the process.
The deaths occurred after suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16. Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, later confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners had died in NSCDC custody, while forensic and medical examinations were being conducted to establish the cause of death.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation. Meanwhile, protests linked to the deaths led to the vandalisation of some properties, prompting Bago to impose a 24-hour curfew in the state.
Tinubu appealed for calm among the affected families and communities, assuring them that the government would establish the facts and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
