NIGER GOVT INVESTIGATES DEATHS OF 37 SUSPECTED MINERS
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By:Aminat Tajudeen
The Niger State Government has constituted a committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The state government also ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the circumstances and exact cause of the deaths.
Bologi Ibrahim, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to him, the committee will be chaired by the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, while the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, will serve as secretary.
Governor Bago said the State Security Service, the police and the NSCDC had also constituted separate committees to investigate the incident.
The NSCDC Commandant-General had earlier suspended the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and members of his team to facilitate a thorough investigation into the deaths.
Bago described the incident as unfortunate and tragic, while extending his condolences to the families of the deceased.
He assured the families that the state government would conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure that the matter was brought to a logical conclusion.
The government is also compiling a register of the victims’ families and plans to maintain communication with them throughout the investigation.
Meanwhile, the governor ordered the immediate closure of all illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site, warning that violators would face prosecution.
He added that experts from Abuja would be invited to inspect and analyse the mining site as part of efforts to determine what led to the incident.
Bago also appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Earlier, Amnesty International called for an independent investigation into the deaths, urging authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the miners’ arrests and the conditions under which they were detained.
The organisation also demanded justice for the victims and their families, insisting that anyone found responsible should be held accountable under the law.
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