Niger govt probes deaths of 37 suspected miners

The Niger State Government has set up a committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The government also ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to determine the exact cause of the deaths.

Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

The committee will be chaired by the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, while the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, will serve as secretary.

The governor said, “the State Security Service, the police and the NSCDC had also formed separate committees to investigate the incident.”

The NSCDC Commandant-General earlier suspended the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and his team to allow for a proper investigation.

Governor Bago described the deaths as unfortunate and tragic and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

He assured the families that the government would investigate the incident and ensure the matter was brought to a logical conclusion.

The state government is also compiling a register of the victims’ families and plans to engage with them throughout the investigation.

Governor Bago ordered the closure of all illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site. He warned that anyone who violated the order would be prosecuted.

He also said experts from Abuja would be invited to examine and analyse the mining site.

The governor appealed to residents, especially youths, to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

Amnesty International had earlier called for an independent investigation into the deaths. The organisation urged authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the conditions in which the detainees were held.

It also called for justice for the victims and their families and said anyone found responsible should face the full weight of the law.