The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Rilwan Disu, has visited Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in Minna and vowed a full investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Disu, who led a police delegation to the Government House on Friday, described the incident as tragic and assured the governor that the police would leave no stone unturned in determining what led to the deaths.
He stated, “I am here this afternoon because of the tragic incident where we lost the lives of 37 citizens of Niger and of this great state”
“It’s a very tragic incident and we want to assure you, Your Excellency, that we will leave no stone unturned to unravel the situation that led to these deaths.”
Disu said deaths in custody were a serious matter within the purview of the police, particularly given the number of victims, adding that the police would work with the state government and other agencies investigating the incident.
He also appealed for calm following reported attacks on public and private property, assuring residents that police patrols would be intensified across Minna and other parts of the state.
Bago, while receiving the IGP, described the incident as “very sad and disturbing”, saying the suspected illegal miners were arrested at a mining site and taken into NSCDC custody before 37 of them died.
“Unfortunately, in the morning, 37 of them died. Others are still in the hospital receiving treatment, and this is quite unfortunate,” Bago said.
The governor cautioned against premature conclusions on the cause of death, saying investigations were ongoing.
According to him, overcrowding and possible exposure to poisonous substances associated with mining activities were among the issues being examined.
Bago said preliminary autopsy observations had raised concerns, including skin peeling and foaming from the mouths of some of the deceased, but stressed that these did not yet establish the cause of death.
The governor explained that a state investigative committee comprising the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army had been constituted to examine the incident.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Mines had also constituted a committee involving laboratories and scientists, while soil samples would be collected from the mining site to determine whether hazardous substances were present.
Bago stated that mining had been banned at the affected site and mining activities across the state temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigations.
He also confirmed the suspension of the NSCDC leadership in Niger State following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow for a proper investigation.
Meanwhile, Bago announced a 6pm-to-6am curfew across the state following reported attacks on public and private properties and marketplaces after the incident, urging residents to remain calm and obey the directive.
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