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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, declaring that the Federal Government will not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence.
The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, said the status of the deceased as suspected illegal miners did not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.
Tinubu directed relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ordered that any official found to have contributed to their deaths through abuse; negligence or dereliction of duty should be arrested and prosecuted where the evidence warrants it.
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The deaths followed the arrest of scores of suspected illegal miners during NSCDC enforcement operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate area of Minna. The president said the investigation must cover the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the number of people held at the facility, the conditions of detention, the medical attention provided and the events leading to their deaths.
“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.
He added: “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 also directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with all relevant investigative authorities and ensure that no officer interfered with the process or attempted to frustrate the establishment of the truth.
