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- As three payer is held for the deceased in Minna
From John Adams Minna
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has reassured the families of the 37 miners who died in the Nigerian Security Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) custody in Minna, the state capitol that the government would conduct a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Governor Bago who stated this during the three-day Fida’au prayer held at the Tunga Central Mosque in Minna on Sunday for the souls of the deceased miners, also said that the findings of the investigation panel would be made public.
The governor told the families who were all in attendance at the three days prayer that the state government is investigating the actual cause of the deaths of the miners.
In addition to the death of the 37 miners, governor Bago disclosed that the investigation will also look at the circumstances surrounding the arrest, detention and death of other detainees at the NSCDC facility.
According to him, “Government is doing everything possible to get to the crux of this matter, and when that is done, it will be made very public.
“We are not going to take anything for granted. We are going to probe deeply so that we can get the real causes of these deaths.” Bago assured.
He explained further that preliminary findings indicate that some people were already in the detention cells before the miners were brought in, adding that the investigation would determine who was detained earlier, why were they detained and who was brought in later, including the identities of those arrested.
The governor gave the instance of a young Igbo man, Emmanuel Emeka who was being held for allegedly stealing from his employer before the incident occurred and was among the miners who died.
He said the government would adopt a holistic approach in investigating the incident and would also work with mining stakeholders to address activities around the area.
Bago further announced that the government would provide palliatives and other forms of support to the families of the deceased, pointing out that the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago will supervise the distribution of whatever relief materials the government will provide.
He added further that the government would also reach out to survivors who were receiving treatment in hospitals, and therefore appealed to the people of the state shun violence.
On the 12 hours curfew imposed by the government following the violent protests that greeted the news of the death of the miners, the governor assured them that the curfew would be lifted when normalcy is restored to allow residents to return to their normal activities.
He however maintained that there would be no going back on the government banned on mining activities within the residential areas in Minna the state capital, stressing that those locations were not designated for mining activities.
He said the government would also enforce responsible mining regulations and use its legal powers to prevent further mining activities in those areas.
The Chief Imam of Tunga Central Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Salisu Isah Mai Dalalainu, who led the prayer, asked for Allah’s comfort and mercy for the families of the deceased.
He described the incident as unfortunate and urged residents not to allow it to become a reason for public unrest or violence in the state.
The cleric also prayed for divine guidance and wisdom for Governor Bago, elected and appointed leaders, traditional rulers and other authorities in the state.
He equally prayed for lasting peace in Niger State and Nigeria.
The Fida’a prayer was attended by prominent politicians, members of the Niger State Executive Council, the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Faruq Bahago, and parents and relations of the deceased.
