IGP Pledges Transparent Probe of 37 Suspected Illegal Miners’ Death in Niger

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, says the police have taken charge of the scene where 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

Disu spoke on Friday in Minna after meeting with Niger State Governor Umaru Bago over the incident, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

TVC News earlier reported that Disu arrived in Minna following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a full and transparent investigation into the deaths and efforts to establish what led to the incident. The President stated that the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be thoroughly investigated, with accountability where wrongdoing is established.

Disu said the police had taken charge of the scene to preserve evidence and ensure that nothing was tampered with as the investigation gets underway.

“Police have taken charge of the scene of the incident. We have to ensure that nothing is taken or added to the scene,” Disu said.

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The IGP said the situation in Minna remained calm, assuring residents that the investigation would be conducted transparently.

“The town is calm. We will not hide anything, and we will be transparent,” he said.

Disu added that the police would work with the committee set up by the Niger State Government, the NSCDC and other security agencies to establish what led to the deaths.

“We are going to work with the committee set up by the governor; we are going to work with the NSCDC and other security agencies to ensure that the truth is unravelled,” he said.

Earlier, speaking on TVC’s Beyond The Headlines with Nifemi Oguntoye, Governor Bago disclosed that medical samples had been collected from the deceased for analysis as investigations into the incident continue.