Miners’ deaths in NSCDC custody have prompted NASSMCS to demand a thorough investigation and stronger protection for legitimate artisanal miners across Nigeria.
The National Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Cooperative Society (NASSMCS) has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of 37 suspected miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
National President of NASSMCS, Alhaji Abdullahi Dantasidi, described the incident as painful and unfortunate and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Dantasidi made the call while speaking with journalists in Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Sunday.
The 37 victims were among scores of people arrested during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16. Their deaths were discovered at an NSCDC detention facility in Minna on September 17.
The exact cause of the deaths remains subject to investigation. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while authorities have ordered investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Dantasidi said the loss was a major blow to the families of the deceased, the mining sector and the country.
“I am deeply shocked, saddened and depressed over this incident,” he said, describing the deceased as young men who could have contributed to the development of the mining sector and the Nigerian economy.
He expressed concern about the circumstances in which the miners died in custody and urged the Federal Government to ensure that the investigation establishes what happened and that appropriate action is taken based on its findings.
Dantasidi also called for stronger measures to protect the security, welfare and interests of artisanal miners across the country.
According to him, artisanal miners play an important role in Nigeria’s mining industry and should be supported through appropriate policies, incentives and collaboration with government.
He argued that the activities of artisanal miners should not automatically be equated with illegal mining, stressing the need to distinguish between legitimate artisanal mining and unlawful mining operations.
“Artisanal miners are the first explorers in the mining sector; we are independent, hardworking and have sacrificed our lives, leaving behind loved ones to go into the bushes,” he said.
Dantasidi called for greater cooperation between government and artisanal mining communities to improve productivity, formalise operations and maximise the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
He also urged the government to introduce incentives that would help legitimate artisanal miners increase their productivity and output.
The NASSMCS president commiserated with Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the families of the deceased.
He further called on the relevant authorities to conduct a transparent investigation and ensure accountability for anyone found culpable.
The Federal Government has already constituted an independent committee to investigate the deaths, while several NSCDC personnel have been suspended or detained in connection with the incident pending the outcome of investigations.
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