By Zainab Bakare
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, NSCDC, in Niger State.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu direct that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through negligence, abuse or other misconduct should be arrested and prosecuted.
The President said the reported deaths required urgent investigation and accountability, stressing that every Nigerian has a right to life and humane treatment while in government custody.
Tinubu said the government would continue its fight against illegal mining but insisted that enforcement operations must comply with the law and respect the rights of detainees.
He directed investigators to examine the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees, the conditions of their detention, the number of people held at the facility, the medical care provided and the events leading to their deaths.
The President also warned that the suspension of officers involved would not replace criminal investigations where evidence supports prosecution. He directed the Interior Ministry and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigators.
The deaths followed the arrest of suspected illegal miners 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 died in NSCDC custody, with forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies, being conducted to determine the cause of the deaths.
