The Niger State Government has set up a committee of inquiry to determine the cause of death of 37 illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said forensic examinations and autopsies would be carried out on the victims as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He said the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC had also set up separate committees to investigate the incident.
The state committee will be chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, with Commissioner for Homeland Security Maurice Magaji serving as secretary.
Bago said the investigations would establish the exact cause of death and guide the government’s next steps.
He said, “Forensic audit and autopsy will be carried out on the victims to know the exact cause of death and consequently take necessary action.”
The governor also disclosed that the NSCDC Commandant-General had suspended the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and his team to allow for a proper investigation.
Bago described the deaths as unfortunate and tragic and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
He said, “My government values the lives of its citizens and as such, will not tolerate any kind of injustice and will make sure that the incident is probed to a logical conclusion.”
The governor said the state government was compiling a register of the families of those who died and would engage with them during the investigation.
He appealed to the families to remain patient as the government works to establish what happened.
Bago also ordered the closure of all illegal mining activities around the M I Wushishi mining site.
He said anyone who violates the order would be prosecuted, while experts from Abuja would be invited to conduct an analysis of the mining site.
The governor appealed to residents, particularly young people, to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He urged them to allow the relevant authorities to complete their investigations into the deaths.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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