President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
He directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, negligence or other actions be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the deaths as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
The President said the life of every Nigerian mattered and that no citizen should lose their life in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
“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 said the Federal Government would continue its campaign against illegal mining and other criminal activities but stressed that enforcement operations must be conducted within the law and with full respect for the rights and dignity of detainees.
“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu orders comprehensive investigation
The President directed that the investigation cover the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the number of people 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 be treated as a substitute for determining whether criminal responsibility exists.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with the relevant investigative authorities and ensure that no officer interfered with the process or frustrated efforts to establish the truth.
The NSCDC had earlier constituted a high-powered investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The Corps said the actual cause of death had not been conclusively established and that medical and laboratory examinations would be required.
