Tinubu orders probe as NHRC demands independent investigations
By James Somtochukwu
One of the survivors among the alleged illegal miners detained in Niger State, Dauda Shehu, has said that their trouble began when they could not pay the N250, 000 per mining pit demanded by community leaders in Lokoto, a settlement in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.
Speaking in an interview by Zarar Bunu TV, Shehu said that many of the miners could not afford the payment because of the limited mining opportunities available in the area.
He said: “We met with them at the palace. They demanded N150k for each mining pit, but we complained that diamonds were not abundant in the area, and therefore we could not raise the amount. A few of us paid, while some promised to pay.”
In what led to the deaths, he said: “Sixty-six of us were put in one cell. Six people are currently on admission. They did not torture us, but there was excessive heat.
“We complained that the cell was too small to accommodate all of us, but they did not listen to us. We watched our colleagues die, and even when we raised the alarm, they thought we were lying.
“We drank urine because we couldn’t access water due to heat. Some people died in the night while others died in the morning on Thursday.”
Shehu said that the detainees tried everything they could to survive as conditions in the cell got worse, adding that some inmates who were still conscious called for help and knocked on the cell door, but no one responded.
“Those who still had a vestige of life began crying out and banging hard on the door, but NSCDC personnel on duty remained unresponsive,” he said, lamenting: “We exhausted every means to stay alive, including drinking our urine and calling for help, but no one came to our aid. The inmates on the left and right began falling one after another.”
Over 37 alleged illegal miners arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) died about two days after being detained.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for an independent investigation into the deaths in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, just as President Bola Tinubu has ordered the probe of the incident.
NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, called for “an independent forensic autopsy and preservation of all evidence. The investigation ordered by the Interior Minister and the NSCDC must be transparent, thorough and comply with international standards for investigating potentially unlawful deaths in custody.”
He reminded law enforcement agencies that suspicion of illegal mining does not extinguish the constitutional rights of citizens, adding that every person in custody must be treated with dignity in accordance with the law.
“Citizens who are arrested on suspicion by law enforcement agents are by law expected to enjoy the full complement of their fundamental human right in accordance with national and international human rights instruments,” he said.
He urged youths in Minna to remain calm and refrain from violence, assuring that the Commission will ensure accountability and that appropriate remedies are provided where violations are established.
The suspects were claimed to have been arrested during an operation targeting illegal mining on Tuesday and Wednesday and were in NSCDC custody.
President Bola Tinubu has already ordered full and transparent investigation into the incident.
Tinubu said the life of every Nigerian mattered and no citizen should die in government custody through negligence, abuse or inhumane treatment.
In a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja, the President expressed deep concern over the reported death, describing the development as “a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
“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.
“They must also be carried out with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every person in custody.
“The fact that these individuals were suspected illegal miners does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.”
He warned that the Federal Government would not tolerate unprofessionalism or negligence by law enforcement agencies.
“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.
“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,” Tinubu said, while directing relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation was comprehensive, transparent and unhindered.
He said the probe must cover the circumstances of the arrests and the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody.
It must also examine the detention conditions, number of persons held at the facility, medical attention provided and events leading to the reported deaths.
“The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” Tinubu said.
He also directed the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with relevant investigative authorities.
Tinubu also directed that no officer should interfere with the process or attempt to frustrate efforts to establish the truth.
The President extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.
He appealed for calm among affected families and communities, assuring them that the Federal Government would pursue the truth.
Tinubu said appropriate action would be taken based on credible evidence from the investigation.
“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 stressed.
Also, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the immediate suspension of the NSCDC Commandant in Niger, Suberu Aniviye, over the incident.
