The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has commenced an investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who died while in its custody in Niger State.
The miners were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of the state on September 15 and 16 as part of efforts to curb illegal mining.
Reports initially indicated that at least 33 suspects died after being detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna, while subsequent reports put the death toll at 37. The NSCDC’s national headquarters has not independently confirmed a final figure.
The deaths were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, prompting concerns over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had constituted a high-powered investigative team to determine what led to the deaths.
The team, headed by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, is expected to examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their period in custody, detention conditions, medical attention provided and other circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Corps said reports attributing the deaths to a particular disease had not been medically established, stressing that laboratory and medical examinations would be required before the cause could be determined.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation into the incident.
The Federal Government has also assured that anyone found culpable after the investigation would not be shielded from accountability, while urging the public to allow the investigation to establish the facts.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has separately deployed a high-powered team to Niger State to investigate the deaths and work with other investigators to establish what happened.
The NSCDC expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and said appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.