The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has deployed a high-powered team 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 disclosed this in a statement on Friday while expressing his condolences to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the families of those who died.
The minister said the team would establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine the facts of the incident.
The suspected miners were arrested during enforcement operations conducted by the NSCDC in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16 as part of efforts to curb illegal mining.
Alake said the investigation would be conducted in collaboration with other investigative bodies to produce a comprehensive report.
“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,” he said.
The minister also commended Governor Bago for declaring a period of mourning and establishing an investigative framework to examine the incident.
Cause of Death Yet to Be Established
The number of deaths has been reported differently, with earlier reports putting the figure at at least 33, while Niger State authorities later confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners had died in NSCDC custody.
The NSCDC has said the cause of the deaths has not yet been conclusively established. The Corps previously cautioned against attributing the fatalities to any specific disease until medical and laboratory examinations are completed.
The deaths have triggered investigations by several authorities. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation into the incident.
Alake said his ministry would work with the other investigators to establish what happened and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths are properly documented.
The investigation comes amid calls for transparency as authorities seek to determine what led to the deaths of the detainees and whether any officials or other parties should be held accountable.
