Tinubu Orders Prosecution of Officials Linked to Niger Miners’ Deaths

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the arrest and prosecution of officials found responsible for the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps custody in Niger State.

The President directed a transparent investigation into the incident after 37 detainees were confirmed dead following their arrest during operations against suspected illegal mining.

The victims were arrested around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16 before being taken into NSCDC custody in Minna.

The Federal Government said officials found to have contributed to the deaths should face consequences after the investigation establishes their roles.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said the government would not shield anyone found culpable. He, however, cautioned against prejudging the investigation, stressing that the facts must first be established.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation.

The NSCDC subsequently directed its Niger State Commandant to step aside and report to its national headquarters in Abuja. Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation were also directed to appear before the investigative panel.

The corps said officers found to have violated the law, established procedures or professional standards could face administrative, disciplinary and, where applicable, criminal sanctions.

The cause of the deaths remains under investigation. Initial reports linked the fatalities to a suspected disease outbreak, but the NSCDC later said no definitive cause had been established and that medical and laboratory examinations would determine what happened.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has also established a committee of inquiry and declared three days of mourning for the victims. He later imposed a 24-hour curfew in Minna following protests and attacks on public and private property linked to the deaths.

The governor said preliminary findings raised questions about possible exposure to hazardous substances, while calling for a thorough investigation.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake has deployed a team to Niger State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and work with other investigators.

The Federal Government has urged residents to remain calm and allow investigations to proceed without interference.

Authorities are expected to determine whether detention conditions, medical care, official conduct or other factors contributed to the deaths.

Tinubu’s directive places emphasis on accountability, but prosecution will depend on evidence from the ongoing investigations.