President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger.
The detainees were arrested during an enforcement operation around Lt.-Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate over alleged illegal mining.
Tinubu said every Nigerian’s life mattered and no one should die in government custody because of negligence, abuse or inhumane treatment.
Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
The President described the deaths 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.
“They must also be carried out with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every person in custody.
“The fact that these individuals were suspected illegal miners does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.”
Tinubu warned that the government would not accept negligence or unprofessional conduct by law enforcement agencies.
“Government will not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect the lives placed under their care.
“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.
He ordered investigators to examine the arrests, detainees’ condition, detention conditions, number held, medical care and events leading to the deaths.
“The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” Tinubu said.
He directed the Interior Ministry and NSCDC leadership to fully cooperate with investigators and ordered that no officer interfere with the probe.
The President condoled with the families and appealed for calm, promising action based on credible evidence.
“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 stressed.
NAN reports that 37 artisanal miners died in NSCDC custody in Minna after a recent enforcement operation in Niger.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had ordered the immediate suspension of Niger NSCDC Commandant Suberu Aniviye over the incident.
