Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has disclosed that not all the 37 people who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna were suspected illegal miners.
Bago made the disclosure in Minna while speaking after a three-day Fidau prayer held at Tunga Central Mosque for the deceased.
The governor said preliminary information indicated that some people were already being held at the NSCDC detention facility before the suspects arrested during the anti-illegal mining operation were brought in.
He cited the case of an Igbo man who, according to him, had allegedly been detained over an accusation of stealing from his employer before the incident and was among those who died.
Bago said the identities, ages and circumstances of detention of all those who were in the facility would form part of the investigation into the deaths.
“Government is doing everything possible to get to the crux of this matter. When that is done, it will be made very public. We are not going to take anything for granted,” the governor said.
“We are going to probe deeply so that we can get the real causes of these deaths.”
The governor said the investigation would establish who was detained before the anti-illegal mining operation, who was subsequently arrested and the circumstances that led to the deaths.
The deaths have triggered investigations by both state and federal authorities. The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee, while the state government has also established an investigative panel.
Bago said the state government would adopt a comprehensive approach to the investigation and work with relevant mining stakeholders to address activities around the affected area.
He also announced that the government would provide palliatives and other forms of support to the families of the deceased, with the Emir of Minna expected to supervise the distribution.
The governor further said the state government would enforce the ban on mining activities within residential communities, stressing that the affected locations were not designated for mining.
He added that the government would enforce responsible mining regulations and use its legal powers to prevent further unauthorised mining activities in the area.
The Chief Imam of Tunga Central Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Salisu Isah Mai Dalalainu, led the Fidau prayer and prayed for comfort and mercy for the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC has appointed A.S. Kabara as the new Niger State Commandant.
Kabara replaces Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, who was suspended following the deaths of the detainees.
