President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo……
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, September 18, said no Nigerian should die in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
The deaths occurred after enforcement operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.
Tinubu described the incident as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability, while stressing that the government would continue to enforce laws against illegal mining.
“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 President said.
He stressed that the status of the deceased as suspected illegal miners did not remove their rights while in government 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,” Tinubu said.
“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.”
The President directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence should face prosecution.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu also directed relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation covers the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the treatment of the detainees while in custody.
The probe is expected to examine the condition of the detainees when they were arrested, the conditions in which they were detained, the number of people held at the facility, the medical attention provided and the events leading to their deaths.
The President said the recent suspension of officers should not be considered a substitute for establishing criminal responsibility where evidence supports prosecution.
“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,” he said.
He directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate with all investigative authorities and ensure that no official interferes with the process.
Tinubu also condoled with the families of the deceased and appealed for calm among the affected families and communities.
He assured them that the Federal Government would establish the facts and take appropriate 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,” the President said.
