President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following enforcement operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, Niger State.
The President, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the deaths were a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
Tinubu stressed that the life of every Nigerian matters and that no citizen should die in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
“While the Federal Government would continue to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities across the country, enforcement operations must be conducted strictly within the law and with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every person in custody,” the President said.
He emphasised that the suspects’ alleged involvement in illegal mining did not strip them of their fundamental rights while in 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,” Tinubu said.
“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.”
The President directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence should be arrested and prosecuted 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,” he said.
Tinubu directed the relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation is comprehensive, transparent and unhindered.
According to him, the probe should establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the number of persons held at the facility, the medical attention provided to them and the events that led to their deaths.
The President also cautioned that the suspension of officers allegedly connected to the incident should not be treated as a substitute for determining criminal responsibility.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with all relevant investigative authorities.
The President further ordered that no officer should interfere with the investigation or attempt to frustrate efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Tinubu extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.
He also appealed for calm among the affected families and communities, assuring them that the Federal Government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
“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.
