The federal government has taken a significant step towards uncovering the truth behind the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State. A 10-member independent committee has been set up to investigate the incident, which occurred last Thursday. The committee's mandate includes determining responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct, and recommending appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The decision to set up the committee followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a "full and transparent" investigation into the deaths of the suspected illegal miners. The Northern Senators Forum (NSF), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the Campaign for Democracy (CD) have also called for a thorough, independent, and transparent probe into the incident. The groups are demanding answers on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the suspected illegal miners.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has released the names of 21 officers suspended so far in connection with the incident. The suspended officers are from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which arrested the suspects during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna. The NSCDC commandant in Niger State, Suberu Aniviye, had claimed that "scores of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following a suspected outbreak of disease".
The NSCDC's claim of a suspected outbreak of disease has raised more questions than answers. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commenced a preliminary investigation into the incident. The NHRC's investigation is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the suspected illegal miners. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), former military President, has denied ownership of the mining site in Minna where some of the suspected illegal miners were arrested. Babangida, alongside former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has called for thorough and extensive investigations into the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners. The development has raised questions about the involvement of high-ranking officials in the mining activities.
The committee set up by the federal government is chaired by a retired deputy director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure. Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Hosea Karma; former chief medical director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Olayinka Buhari; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State government. The committee's report is expected to reveal the truth behind the incident.
The Minister of Interior has warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses, or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence. The government has assured that the investigation will be thorough and transparent. The incident has highlighted the need for better regulation of mining activities in Nigeria and the need for accountability in the security agencies.
Key points
- The federal government has set up a 10-member committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State.
- The Northern Senators Forum (NSF), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the Campaign for Democracy (CD) have called for a thorough, independent, and transparent probe into the incident.
- General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.) has denied ownership of the mining site in Minna where some of the suspected illegal miners were arrested.
