By Joyce Ekeh
President Bola Tinubu on Friday ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following enforcement operations near Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, Niger State.
Tinubu, who vowed that his administration would not tolerate deaths arising from official negligence or abuse, said being suspected of illegal mining did not deprive the detainees of their fundamental rights to life, dignity and humane treatment.
Tinubu, in a press statement issued by his Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said every Nigerian life mattered and that no citizen should die in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.
Expressing concern over the reported deaths, the President directed relevant authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established.
Tinubu, “While the Federal Government would continue to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities across the country, enforcement operations must be conducted strictly within the law and with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every person in custody.
“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody. Government will not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect the lives placed under their care.”
Tinubu further directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, misconduct or negligence should face criminal prosecution.
“Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, such an officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability,” he said.
The President directed that the investigation should cover the entire chain of events, including the circumstances of the arrests, the physical condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions in which they were held, the number of persons detained at the facility, the medical attention provided and the events that preceded their deaths.
Tinubu also warned that the suspension of officers suspected of wrongdoing must not be allowed to replace a proper investigation into possible criminal responsibility.
“The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” Tinubu said.
He directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with all relevant investigative authorities and ensure that no official interfered with the process or attempted to frustrate efforts to establish the facts.
The President also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.
Tinubu 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.
Tinubu said the incident underscored the need for law enforcement agencies to balance the enforcement of laws against criminal activities with strict adherence to the rule of law.
“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. The government must enforce the law firmly, but it must also obey the law. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable,” he said.
