Niger Govt: Forensic Tests Will Reveal If 37 Miners Died From Poison, Torture Or Suffocation
The Niger State Government has set up a committee of inquiry to determine the cause of death of 37 illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps [NSCDC], as the Nigeria Police Force has taken over the NSCDC office in Minna to secure evidence.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said forensic examinations and autopsies would be carried out on the victims to establish the exact cause of death.
He said, “Forensic audit and autopsy will be carried out on the victims to know the exact cause of death and consequently take necessary action.”
The governor said the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC had also set up separate committees to investigate the incident.
The state committee will be chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, with Commissioner for Homeland Security Maurice Magaji serving as secretary.
According to the governor, the state government is compiling a register of the families of those who died and will engage with them during the investigation. He appealed to the families to remain patient.
The 37 men reportedly died on September 17 while in NSCDC custody in Minna after they were arrested in the Wushishi-Lukoto axis over alleged illegal mining.
The police takeover of the NSCDC facility followed a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, for the commencement of an investigation into the deaths. The move is expected to facilitate the investigation and secure relevant evidence.
The governor also disclosed that the NSCDC Commandant-General had suspended the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and his team to allow for a proper investigation.
Bago described the deaths as unfortunate and tragic and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
“My government values the lives of its citizens and as such, will not tolerate any kind of injustice and will make sure that the incident is probed to a logical conclusion,” he said.
He also ordered the closure of all illegal mining activities around the M I Wushishi mining site, warning that anyone who violates the order would be prosecuted, while experts from Abuja would be invited to conduct an analysis of the site.
The governor appealed to residents, particularly young people, to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
The incident has sparked calls for an independent and transparent investigation, with rights advocates demanding accountability and justice for the victims and their families.
