The deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have raised fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, even as authorities investigate the incident.
The Corps confirmed the arrest of suspects during coordinated enforcement operations against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of the north-central Nigerian state on September 15 and 16.
In a fresh statement, the NSCDC says it has set up a high-powered investigative team to establish what happened. The team will examine the suspects’ condition when they were arrested, how long they spent in custody, their detention conditions, and the medical care they received.
But for some Nigerians, the investigation must answer a more fundamental question: what happened to the suspects after they were taken into custody?
“This statement does not answer the most important question: how did people who were arrested by the NSCDC and placed in its custody end up dead?” Nasiruddeen Abdullahi Isa asked in a Facebook comment.
He said the deaths occurred in the custody of the agency and called for an investigation that would establish whether disease, overcrowding, suffocation, toxic exposure, negligence, inadequate medical care, or another factor was responsible.
Protests have erupted in the state capital, Minna, over the incident, but Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has called for calm.
The state government has also imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna following the unrest. The curfew started on Friday and will remain in force until further notice.
“We are calling on everybody to remain calm to allow law and order take control. We are calling on all the youths to please stay away from violence. It’s not going to bring back the people that have died. It would rather cost us a lot at the end of the day,” he said.
Cause of Death Yet to Be Established
NSCDC also clarified that reports linking the deaths to a specific disease have not been medically or scientifically confirmed.
“The Corps will therefore refrain from speculation until the outcome of the medical examination is established,” the statement said.
Governor Bago has also urged caution, saying there are several possibilities.
“It could be as a result of suffocation because they were so many in a cell,” he said. “And the second issue could be because of exposure to maybe lead poisoning or other very hazardous chemicals that they are using to do the illegal mining, but it’s too early for anybody to draw conclusion on the root causes.”
The Governor said authorities were conducting forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies.
For families of the deceased and others demanding answers, the medical and forensic examination is therefore central to establishing what happened.
Muhammad Tahir Potiskum, in his online comment, called for a full autopsy and an independent investigation, asking authorities to establish the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, where they were detained, whether they received adequate food, water and medical care, whether they showed signs of illness and whether anyone was taken to hospital.
“We are not asking people to jump to conclusions. We are asking for facts,” he said.
Questions Extend Beyond the Deaths
Beyond the cause of death, the tragedy has also raised questions about mining enforcement. It has put the conditions under which authorities enforce environmental and mining laws under scrutiny.
Governor Bago said the authorities had closed the mining site.
“Anybody that is found there is on his own, because this is the reason why we are here. People go there without the necessary mining technology and mining gears and just do a lot of mining,” he said.
The NSCDC assures that it “remains resolute in its mandate to combat illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s critical national assets”, while also upholding “the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of every person in its custody.”
A Federal Government delegation to Minna, led by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, with the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has visited the Niger State Government over the incident.
The Federal Government has ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The Federal Government also suspended Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the Commandant in Niger State, pending the investigation.
Residents, families and Nigerians online are calling for a transparent investigation. They want authorities to establish what happened between the arrests and the deaths. They also want to know whether anyone breached a duty of care.
“Even if they were arrested for illegal mining, they did not forfeit their right to life, dignity or humane treatment,” Abdullahi Muhammad Salis wrote. “Once you take a person into your custody, you assume responsibility for that person’s safety.”
As the families of the 37 deceased cry out for justice, many Nigerians and advocates continue raising questions around mining, indigenous communities, and regulation.
By Nonye Aghaji | Editor: Uwais Idris