TINUBU ORDERS PROSECUTION OF OFFICIALS LINKED TO DEATHS OF NIGER MINERS
Read Time:3 Minute, 12 Second
By:Aminat Tajudeen
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 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 abuse, negligence or other misconduct be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Tinubu, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the deaths as a grave matter that required urgent investigation and accountability.
He stressed that every Nigerian’s life mattered, adding that no citizen should die in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
“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.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue its efforts to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities but emphasised that enforcement operations must be carried out within the law and with respect for the rights of detainees.
He noted that the suspects’ alleged involvement in illegal mining did not strip them of their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.
“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.
The President directed that the investigation examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees upon arrival in custody, the conditions under which they were held, the number of people detained at the facility, the medical care provided and the events leading to their deaths.
He also warned that the suspension of officers should not be considered a substitute for determining whether criminal responsibility existed.
“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,” Tinubu said.
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, subsequently confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners had died in NSCDC custody, with forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies being conducted to establish the cause of the deaths.
The NSCDC also constituted an investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects at the time of their arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions and the medical attention provided.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also assured that anyone found culpable would not be shielded, while cautioning against prejudging the outcome of the investigation.
Former Vice President and 2027 ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had also called for accountability and an independent, thorough and transparent investigation into the deaths.
Meanwhile, Governor Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew in Niger State following protests and destruction of property linked to the incident.
The governor said buses belonging to the State Transport Company, a Sterling Bank branch, political party offices and private businesses were vandalised during the unrest.
Tinubu appealed for calm among the families and communities affected by the deaths, assuring them that the Federal Government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. The government must enforce the law firmly, but it must also obey the law. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable,” he said.
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