President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The directive follows enforcement operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, Niger State.
Reacting to the incident, President Tinubu noted that the life of every Nigerian matters and that no citizen should lose their life while in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
“I am deeply concerned by the reported deaths. This is a grave matter, and the circumstances must be investigated urgently and thoroughly,” he said.
However, he assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities across the country.
The President stated that such operations must be conducted strictly within the law and with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every person taken into custody.
Tinubu argued that the fact that the individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not remove their right to life, dignity, and humane treatment.
He stressed that his administration would not tolerate deaths arising from official negligence, abuse, dereliction of duty or the failure of public officials to protect lives placed under their care.
He pledged that where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to the deaths, the officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“There must be accountability,” he stated. “I have directed that the investigation be comprehensive, transparent, and unhindered. It must establish the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were held, the number of persons detained at the facility, the medical attention provided to them and the events leading to their deaths.”
President Tinubu explained that the suspension of officers is an administrative step but cannot substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution.
He also affirmed that he had directed the Ministry of Interior and the leadership of the NSCDC to cooperate fully with all relevant investigative authorities.
The President mentioned that no officer must interfere with the investigation or attempt to frustrate the establishment of the truth.
He condoled with the families of those who died and prayed for the repose of their souls.
Tinubu further appealed for calm among the affected families and communities, assuring them that the Federal Government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
He emphasised that security agencies must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another, saying that government must enforce the law firmly while also obeying the law.
He added that the sanctity of human life is non-negotiable.
