Harry Archie
The deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have triggered a government investigation, the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC commandant and violent protests in Minna.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths, saying any official found to have contributed to the incident through negligence, abuse or other wrongdoing should face prosecution.
The President said the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the number of people held, conditions inside the detention facility and the medical attention provided to the detainees must all be investigated.
The directive came as the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, over the incident and ordered a full investigation.
The deaths had sparked anger among residents and relatives of the victims, with protesters taking to the streets of Minna on Friday to demand answers and justice.
Security personnel were deployed as the protests escalated, with reports of tear gas and gunfire being used to disperse demonstrators.
Some government and private facilities were also reportedly attacked during the unrest.In response to the unrest, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna, directing residents to remain indoors while security agencies worked to restore order.
The state government also suspended mining activities across the state and constituted a committee to investigate the deaths.
The 37 detainees had been arrested during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining in the Wushishi-Lukoto area of Niger State between September 15 and 16.
The circumstances of their deaths remain under investigation.
The NSCDC initially suggested that a disease outbreak may have been responsible, but survivors have described severe overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility, saying detainees struggled to breathe before some collapsed.
Niger State authorities have said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies are being conducted to establish the scientific cause of death.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, also visited Niger State on Friday and pledged that the police would work with other authorities to determine what led to the deaths.
President Tinubu has appealed for calm and said the government would pursue the truth, stressing that the fact that the victims were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their right to life and humane treatment while in government custody.
