President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State, demanding accountability where evidence establishes negligence or wrongdoing.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The President gave the directive on Friday following reports of the deaths of detainees arrested during enforcement operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate and the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna.
According to the State House, Tinubu said the life of every Nigerian matters and that no citizen should lose his or her life in government custody because of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
The President described the incident as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
“While the Federal Government would continue to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities across the country, enforcement operations must be conducted strictly within the law and with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every person in custody,” Tinubu said.
He stressed that being suspected of illegal mining did not remove the detainees’ right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in custody.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions in which they were detained, the number of persons held at the facility, the medical attention provided and the events leading to the deaths.
He also warned that the suspension of officers must not replace criminal investigation where evidence establishes possible wrongdoing.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu directed the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with all investigative authorities and ensure that no officer interferes with the process or attempts to frustrate the establishment of the truth.
The deaths have already triggered investigations at federal and state levels. The Niger State Government has constituted a committee of inquiry and ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the cause of death, while the NSCDC and police have also initiated investigations.
The NSCDC had said the detainees were arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining and that some were later found dead. The Corps said the actual cause of death had not been conclusively established and that medical examinations would determine what happened.
President Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm among the affected families and communities.
“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,” he said.
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