Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has visited Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in Minna over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were reportedly in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Disu, who led a delegation of senior police officers to the Niger State Government House on Friday, described the incident as tragic and assured the governor that the circumstances surrounding the deaths would be thoroughly investigated.
The IGP said the death of 37 citizens in custody was a serious matter that required a comprehensive investigation to establish what happened.
He said, “I am here this afternoon because of the tragic incident where we lost the lives of 37 citizens of Niger and of this great state.
“It’s a very tragic incident and we want to assure you, Your Excellency, that we will leave no stone unturned to unravel the situation that led to these deaths.”
Disu added that the police would collaborate with the Niger State Government and other relevant agencies involved in the investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the deaths.
He also urged residents to remain calm following reports of attacks on public and private property, assuring that security patrols would be strengthened in Minna and other parts of the state.
Receiving the police delegation, Governor Bago described the incident as “very sad and disturbing”, explaining that the suspected illegal miners were arrested at a mining location and subsequently taken into NSCDC custody.
According to the governor, 37 of those arrested later died, while others remained hospitalised and were receiving medical attention.
“Unfortunately, in the morning, 37 of them died. Others are still in the hospital receiving treatment, and this is quite unfortunate,” Bago said.
The governor, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions on the cause of the deaths, stressing that investigations by relevant authorities were still ongoing.
He said possible factors being examined included overcrowding and exposure to toxic substances that may have been associated with mining activities at the location.
Bago further disclosed that preliminary observations from autopsies had revealed unusual signs, including skin peeling and foaming from the mouths of some of the deceased. He stressed that the findings could not, at this stage, be regarded as confirmation of the cause of death.
The governor said the state government had constituted an investigative committee comprising the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Mines had also set up a separate committee involving scientists and laboratory experts to conduct further examinations.
According to him, soil samples would be obtained from the affected mining site and subjected to scientific analysis to determine whether hazardous substances were present.
Bago also announced that mining operations had been prohibited at the affected location, while mining activities across Niger State were temporarily suspended pending the conclusion of investigations.
He further confirmed the suspension of the NSCDC leadership in the state following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the measure was intended to facilitate a proper investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the governor announced a 6pm-to-6am curfew across Niger State following reports of attacks on public and private property as well as marketplaces in the aftermath of the incident.
He appealed to residents to remain peaceful and comply with the curfew while authorities work to establish the facts surrounding the deaths.
