Niger Government Forms Committee to Investigate Deaths of 37 Miners in Custody

The Niger State Government has set up a committee to find out what caused the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, shared this in a statement on Thursday.

Ibrahim mentioned that the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, will chair the committee. The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, will act as secretary.

The state government plans to carry out forensic examinations and autopsies on the bodies to find out how they died and what steps to take next.

The governor also mentioned that the State Security Service, the police, and the NSCDC have each set up their own committees to look into the matter.

The NSCDC Commandant-General has suspended Suberu Aniviye, the Niger State Commandant, along with his team to allow for a thorough investigation.

The governor called the incident sad and tragic. He expressed condolences to the families of those who died.

Governor Bago assured the families that the government will investigate the incident and make sure it reaches a proper conclusion.

He added that the state government is putting together a list of the deceased’s families and will communicate with them during the investigation.

The governor also ordered the shutdown of all illegal mining activities near the M.I. Wushishi mining site.

He warned that anyone who disobeys this order will face prosecution and said experts from Abuja would be called in to examine the mining site.

Bago appealed to residents, especially young people, to stay calm and not take the law into their hands.

PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier that Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the deaths. They urged the authorities to clarify the circumstances of the arrests and the conditions faced by the detainees.

The rights group also demanded justice for the victims and their families, insisting that anyone found responsible must face serious consequences.