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.
Tinubu, in a statement by his special adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the reported deaths were a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
He directed that any official found culpable be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law, insisting that the life of every Nigerian mattered and that no citizen should die in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities but stressed that enforcement operations must comply with the law and respect the rights of people in custody.
The President directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with the relevant investigative authorities and ensure that no officer interfered with the investigation or frustrated efforts to establish the truth.
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 died in NSCDC custody, with forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies being conducted to establish the cause of the deaths.
