President Bola Tinubu has ordered the arrest and prosecution of any government official found culpable in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The President also directed a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, stressing that suspected involvement in illegal mining could not deprive the victims of their right to life and humane treatment while in government custody.
Tinubu gave the directive in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, describing the deaths as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
The President said officials whose actions, abuse or negligence contributed to the deaths must face criminal prosecution in accordance with the law.
“Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, such an officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability,” Tinubu said.
He further warned that administrative sanctions against officials involved in the incident would not replace criminal investigations where evidence of wrongdoing existed.
“The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” the President said.
The deaths reportedly occurred after suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Governor Umar Bago subsequently confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died while in NSCDC custody.
According to the President, investigators are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the physical condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were held and the number of people detained at the facility.
The investigation is also expected to determine what medical attention was provided to the detainees and the events immediately preceding their deaths.
Tinubu directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with relevant investigative authorities.
He further ordered that no official should interfere with the investigation or frustrate efforts to establish what happened to the deceased.
The NSCDC had earlier constituted an investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects at the point of arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions and medical care.
The deaths have triggered protests and unrest in parts of Niger State, prompting Governor Bago to impose a 24-hour curfew.
The governor said property damaged during the unrest included buses belonging to the State Transport Company, a Sterling Bank branch, political party offices and private businesses.
Tinubu appealed for calm among the families and communities affected by the deaths, assuring them that the Federal Government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
The President maintained that the Federal Government would continue its crackdown on illegal mining and other criminal activities but insisted that enforcement agencies must operate within the law and respect the fundamental rights of persons in their custody.
“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,” he 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.”
Tinubu concluded that the government must not respond to one alleged illegality by committing another, stressing that the enforcement of the law must itself be conducted within the confines of the law.
“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. The government must enforce the law firmly, but it must also obey the law. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable,” he said.
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