Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of approximately 37 suspected illegal miners who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna. In a statement delivered during a media chat in the state capital, Bago described the incident as both tragic and unacceptable, announcing that the state government has constituted a committee of inquiry to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
To ensure an impartial review of the events, the Governor disclosed that the NSCDC Commandant in Niger State and his team have been suspended from duty. Bago emphasized that the investigation is designed to establish exactly what happened to the detainees, asserting that the state government would not ignore the matter. “Lives of human beings are lives of human beings,” Bago stated. “Such an unjust government will not tolerate any kind of injustice, and we are going to make sure that we probe this thing deeply until we get to the root of this.”
While the probe is underway, the Governor cautioned the public against speculating on the specific causes of death, noting that forensic examinations, medical assessments, and autopsies are currently being conducted. He clarified that it is too early to draw official conclusions, though authorities are examining potential factors such as suffocation resulting from overcrowding in the detention facility and exposure to hazardous substances associated with illegal mining operations.
“There is no official root cause of these deaths yet. It is too early for anybody to draw a conclusion on the root causes,” Bago said.
In response to the incident, Bago announced the immediate closure of activities at the illegal mining site in Ema Ushishi. The decision was cited as a measure to address concerns over miners operating without adequate technology, safety equipment, or protective gear. The Governor stated that the state government would await the outcome of the ongoing investigations before determining further actions regarding the site.
The Governor also appealed to residents to maintain calm and avoid violence, warning that protests or reprisals would not bring back the deceased. “We are calling on all the youth to please stay away from violence. It is not going to bring about those that have died. It will rather cost us a lot at the end of the day,” he said. Additionally, the administration is compiling a register of the deceased to identify their families and provide necessary support, assuring relatives that the government will engage with them throughout the process.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
