Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has promised to investigate the death of Emmanuel, an employee of a private firm who died in NSCDC custody. The governor made this pledge on Sunday during the third-day Muslim prayers for the 37 late miners who died in the NSCDC detention facility. Bago noted that preliminary investigations indicated that some individuals were already in detention before the arrested miners were brought into the cell.
According to family sources, Emmanuel was arrested at his workplace by his boss over an alleged financial discrepancy in the firm's ledger. He was detained in NSCDC custody from Friday before the suspected miners were brought into the same cell, where he eventually died. Emmanuel's parents had repeatedly pleaded with his boss to intervene and facilitate his bail, but their requests were declined.
Emmanuel's father, Emeka, narrated his last contact with his son, saying he visited him on Wednesday and found him healthy and mentally stable. They discussed possible ways to resolve the matter and recover the allegedly missing money. Emmanuel's mother also approached his boss's wife, pleading with her to intervene, but she declined, saying her husband had made a decision.
The situation took a tragic turn on Thursday morning when Emeka returned to the NSCDC facility with food for Emmanuel, only to find him lifeless. Initially, the NSCDC wanted to conceal Emmanuel's death, but pressure from his family and the media forced the operatives to admit to the allegations. The death of the miners led Governor Bago to impose a curfew in the state after hoodlums caused unrest in the capital city.
Governor Bago assured the public that his government would probe deeply into the deaths and make the findings public. He disclosed that a ban on mining activities in residential areas would be enforced and appealed to residents to shun violence. The governor also assured residents that the curfew would be lifted after the night of the prayer to allow normal activities to resume.
NSCDC spokesman Mohammed Muti stated that all personnel involved in Emmanuel's detention and death had been arrested and detained at the Abuja headquarters. They are facing prosecution, and the cell where Emmanuel died has been sealed for police investigation. Muti could not confirm Emmanuel's detention, citing the need to obtain records from the arrested personnel.
The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees in NSCDC custody. Governor Bago's administration has vowed to take action to prevent similar incidents in the future. The investigation into Emmanuel's death is ongoing, and the government has promised to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Key points
- Governor Mohammed Bago has vowed to investigate the death of Emmanuel, a private firm employee who died in NSCDC custody.
- Emmanuel's death has led to increased scrutiny of the NSCDC's detention facilities and treatment of detainees.
- The Niger State government has imposed a curfew and banned mining activities in residential areas to maintain order.
