‘Deaths Of Miners Amount To Grave Failure Of State’

Public anger has intensified following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State, with rights groups and political organisations call for a transparent probe into how the detainees died. While authorities have said investigations and autopsies are being conducted to establish the cause of death, concerns over the circumstances of the detention have deepened demands for accountability and answers from government.

In response, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths of 37 persons suspected to be illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

This was even as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has commenced a preliminary investigation into the deaths, while the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and Hope Behind Bars Africa demanded independent inquiries into the incident.

The Federal Government has also assured that nobody found culpable would be shielded, with the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, deploying a high-powered team to Niger State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The President, who expressed deep concern over the reported deaths, said no Nigerian should lose his or her life while in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.

The deaths occurred after the suspects were arrested during enforcement operations around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

In a statement on Friday, Tinubu said the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be thoroughly established, with any official found to have contributed to them through action, abuse or negligence held accountable in accordance with the law.

“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.

“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.

The president directed that the investigation should 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 persons held at the facility, the medical attention provided to them and the events that led to their deaths.

He further directed the relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation was comprehensive, transparent and free from interference.

Tinubu also warned that administrative sanctions against officers implicated in the incident must not be allowed to replace criminal investigation or prosecution where the evidence establishes culpability.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Federal Government regarded the protection of the lives, dignity and fundamental rights of every Nigerian as a solemn responsibility.

Idris conveyed the condolences of the Federal Government to the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the government and people of the state, traditional leaders in Wushishi and the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.

He said the circumstances surrounding the deaths required a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.

According to him, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and directed a full investigation into the incident.

He, however, cautioned against prejudging the outcome of the investigation, saying the government’s responsibility was to establish the facts and ensure that justice was served.

Similarly, Alake expressed profound shock over the deaths and extended his condolences to Governor Bago, the bereaved families and the people of Niger State.

He said the ministerial team deployed to the state would collaborate with other investigators to establish the facts surrounding the incident and provide a comprehensive report.

The NHRC also commenced a preliminary investigation into the deaths, with its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, saying the incident raised serious human rights concerns.

Ojukwu said the deaths occurred after the suspects were arrested during enforcement operations in the Wushishi-Lukoto area on September 15 and 16, adding that the bodies of the deceased were subsequently deposited at the General Hospital, Minna.

He condemned the incident and expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while commiserating with the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State.

The NHRC boss directed the commission to establish the cause of death and called for an independent forensic autopsy, as well as the preservation of all relevant evidence.

He also urged investigations being conducted by the Minister of Interior and the NSCDC to be transparent, thorough and consistent with international standards governing potentially unlawful deaths in custody.

Ojukwu stressed that arrest on suspicion of illegal mining did not remove the constitutional rights of those taken into custody.

He urged security agencies to ensure that all persons in custody were treated with dignity and in accordance with the law.

Ojukwu also appealed to youths in Minna to remain calm and avoid violence, assuring them that the commission would pursue accountability and ensure appropriate remedies where violations were established.

Also, HURIWA demanded an independent inquiry into the reported deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners.

The rights group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, described the incident as a grave human rights violation and called on the Federal Government to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were fully established.

HURIWA said the reported deaths raised serious questions about what happened to the suspects after they were arrested around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16 and before their bodies were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna.

The organisation questioned how 37 people who were reportedly arrested alive could have died while in government custody and called for an independent investigation into the incident.

Similarly, Hope Behind Bars Africa described the deaths as a grave failure of the state’s duty to protect lives.

The organisation, in a statement signed by Ogechi Ogwuma, said the deceased were arrested on suspicion of illegal mining but had not been tried or convicted and were therefore entitled to the presumption of innocence and protection of their fundamental rights.

Ogwuma said the 37 persons entered the custody of the Nigerian state alive, stressing that the authorities consequently assumed responsibility for their safety and welfare.

She said reports from survivors had raised questions about the conditions under which the deceased were detained, including alleged severe overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, extreme heat and lack of access to water.

According to the group, survivors reportedly described being packed into a cell under conditions that made it difficult to breathe, with detainees repeatedly calling for help.

It, however, stressed that the allegations must be subjected to a rigorous and independent investigation to establish what happened and determine responsibility.

The organisation welcomed the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant but said accountability should extend to every officer who exercised command, custodial, supervisory or welfare responsibilities over the facility during the period in question.

She urged authorities to protect survivors, families of the deceased and other witnesses from intimidation or retaliation.