Tinubu orders arrest, prosecution of NSCDC officials linked to death of 37 Niger Miners

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the arrest and prosecution of any government official found to have contributed to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

He gave the directives on Friday while ordering a full and transparent investigation into the deaths, stressing that the outcome must establish individual responsibility and ensure accountability.

The President, in a statement made available to Newsmen by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the reported deaths as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation.
He said every Nigerian had the right to life and humane treatment, regardless of the offence for which the person was suspected or arrested.
“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 investigators to examine 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 people held at the facility, medical attention provided to them and the events that led to their deaths.

He also warned that the suspension of officers involved in the incident must 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.”

The President further directed the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with the relevant investigative authorities and ensure that no official interferes with efforts to establish the truth.

The 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 suspects died in NSCDC custody, with forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies, being conducted to determine the cause of death.6

The NSCDC has also constituted an investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Earlier, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had also said that nobody found culpable would be shielded, while urging that the outcome of the investigation not be prejudged.

The deaths have sparked protests and unrest in Niger State, prompting Governor Bago to impose a 24-hour curfew after reports of vandalism targeting the State Transport Company’s buses, a Sterling Bank branch, political party offices and private businesses.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had also called for an independent and transparent investigation into the incident.
Tinubu, while appealing for calm among affected families and communities, said 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.