The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has deployed a team of senior officials to Niger State to investigate the deaths of suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Alake announced the deployment in a statement on Friday, expressing condolences to the Niger State Government, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the families and communities affected by the incident.
The minister said the team would work with other investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the facts of the case.
Alake described the incident as tragic, saying, “It is with profound shock and deep sorrow that I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the entire people of the state over the tragic loss of lives among detained citizens in Minna.”
He also sympathised with the families of the deceased and the communities mourning the victims.
“During this solemn period of state mourning, my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the communities bearing the weight of this grief,” he said.
The minister commended Governor Bago for declaring a period of mourning and initiating an investigative process into the incident.
Alake stressed that the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be subjected to a transparent and independent investigation to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents in detention facilities.
He said, “A thorough, transparent, and independent inquiry is vital to ensure accountability and prevent any recurrence of such distress in our detention and correctional facilities.”
The minister said the deceased were reportedly among persons arrested on suspicion of illegal mining during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
He explained that his ministry’s investigation would complement other inquiries already launched by relevant authorities.
“Given the allegation that the detained persons were arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal mining, I have deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the circumstances and ascertain the facts of the matter,” Alake stated.
He added that the team would work alongside other investigators and produce a comprehensive report on the incident.
The deaths have prompted multiple investigations, including one ordered by the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
The NSCDC investigation is expected to examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their treatment while in custody, the conditions at the detention facility and the medical attention provided to them.
Initial reports put the number of deaths at 33, while subsequent reports suggested that the figure could be about 40. Niger State Governor Bago, however, later confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners had died in custody.
The final death toll and cause of death have yet to be officially established.
Although the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, had linked the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, the NSCDC headquarters said the cause had not been confirmed and would require medical and laboratory investigations.
Alake said his ministry would continue to support efforts to establish what happened.
He prayed for the families of the deceased, saying, “May the Almighty comfort the families affected and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.”
