President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed 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, ordering that any official found culpable be arrested and prosecuted.
The President gave the directive in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu described the reported deaths as a serious matter that requires urgent investigation, accountability and justice.
No Nigerian Should Die in Custody
According to the President, every Nigerian life is valuable, and no citizen should lose their life in government custody because 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,” Tinubu said.
Investigation to Cover Arrests and Detention Conditions
Tinubu directed investigators to examine all aspects of the incident.
The probe will include the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the physical condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the detention conditions, the number of people held in the facility, the medical care provided and the events leading to the deaths.
The President stressed that the suspension of officials should not replace criminal investigations where evidence warrants prosecution.
“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,” he added.
Illegal Mining Fight Must Respect Human Rights
The President said the Federal Government would continue its campaign against illegal mining and other criminal activities.
However, he noted that law enforcement agencies must operate within the law and respect the rights of individuals in custody.
“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody,” Tinubu stated.
Government Agencies Directed to Cooperate
Tinubu ordered the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigators and ensure that no official interferes with the investigation.
The deaths occurred after suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations in the Wushishi/Lukoto area of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago earlier confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died in NSCDC custody.
Autopsies, forensic examinations and medical investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of the deaths.
The Federal Government had already suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of investigations.
Tinubu appealed for calm among affected communities and assured Nigerians that the government would establish the truth and ensure justice.
“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,” the President said.
