…minister vows to establish facts, ensure accountability
The Federal Government has deployed a “high-powered” team to Niger State to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the team would investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish the facts of the incident.
“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 said.
“The team will collaborate with other investigators to provide a comprehensive report on the incident.”
The development followed a statement by the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, on Thursday, that the suspects were arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16.
Aniviye said “scores of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following a suspected outbreak of disease”.
Following the deaths, the Federal Government suspended Aniviye and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Alake expressed condolences to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the people of the state, describing the deaths as a tragedy affecting families and communities.
“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 said.
“The loss of any life is a deeply painful occurrence, and a tragedy of this magnitude affects us all.”
He said his thoughts and prayers were with the bereaved families and communities mourning the loss.
The minister also commended Bago for his “swift administrative response” in declaring a period of mourning and establishing an investigative framework to determine what led to the deaths.
Alake said a thorough, transparent and independent inquiry was necessary to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents from occurring in detention and correctional facilities.
