Abuja: The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, has dispatched a team of officials to Niger State to examine the deaths of 37 detained suspected illegal miners. This development was revealed in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Lara Owoeye-Wise.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the tragic incident occurred at a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) facility in Niger. The NSCDC Niger Command, under the leadership of Commandant Suberu Aniviye, had conducted a ‘burst operation’ on September 15 and 16 at M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto Village, resulting in the capture of the alleged illegal miners. On Thursday morning, numerous detained suspects were discovered dead, presumably due to a disease outbreak.
Mr. Dele Alake, while expressing his condolences to Governor Umaru Bago and the people of Niger State, stated that the ministerial team would delve into the particulars of the deaths to uncover the truth behind the incident. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive report through collaboration with other investigators to fully understand the situation.
Alake described the incident as a tragic loss affecting the entire state and expressed his sympathy to the bereaved families and communities, offering his thoughts and prayers during their mourning period. He praised Governor Bago for initiating a period of mourning and setting up an investigative framework to ascertain the circumstances of the incident.
The minister stressed the importance of a thorough, transparent, and independent inquiry to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences in detention and correctional facilities.
NAN further reports that Governor Umar Bago announced the formation of a state committee to explore the root causes of the deaths. Additionally, the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, and NSCDC have established their own committees to investigate the incident. Bago reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting citizens’ lives and assured that the investigation would be thorough to prevent any injustice.