The Niger State Government has set up an investigative committee to determine the cause of death of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command.
The state government also declared three days of mourning for the victims and suspended all political activities in the state until further notice.
Key Highlights
- Niger State Government sets up committee to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners.
- The government declares three days of mourning for the victims.
- NSCDC Niger State Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye and his team have been suspended pending investigation.
- The government says forensic examinations and autopsies will be conducted to establish the cause of death.
- Security agencies, including the DSS and Nigeria Police, have also commenced separate investigations.
- Illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site have been suspended.
- Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago appeals for calm and urges residents not to take the law into their own hands.
The NSCDC Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Audi, has suspended the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and members of his team to allow for an unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The investigative committee will be chaired by the Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, while the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, will serve as secretary.
The Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC have also constituted separate committees to investigate the incident and determine what led to the deaths.
Governor Orders Forensic Audit, Autopsies
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, while inaugurating the state government committee, said a forensic audit and autopsies would be conducted on the victims to establish the exact cause of death.
He described the incident as tragic and unfortunate and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
Bago assured the families that his administration would pursue the investigation and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were thoroughly established.
The governor said the state government values the lives of its citizens and would not tolerate injustice, adding that the investigation would be pursued to its logical conclusion.
He further disclosed that the government was compiling a register of the families of those who died and would engage with them as part of efforts to provide support and obtain relevant information.
Read also:
- What Really Happened To 37 Suspected Illegal Miners’ Deaths In NSCDC Custody In Niger?
- NSCDC Investigates Deaths Of Suspected Illegal Miners In Niger State
Bago appealed to the affected families and residents of the state to remain patient while the investigation continues.
Illegal Mining Around Wushishi Site Suspended
The governor also announced the closure of all illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site. He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face prosecution.
According to the governor, experts from Abuja would also be invited to conduct a technical analysis of the mining site as part of efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, urging them to allow the relevant authorities to complete their investigations.
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