Niger Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has promised to make public the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The incident occurred at the MI Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, where the miners and other detainees were being held. Bago spoke on Channels Television's Politics Today, discussing the incident and the need for a joint control of mining activities by the Federal and state governments.
According to Bago, forensic examination and autopsies will be critical in determining the cause of the deaths. Survivors alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the detention facility shortly before some detainees collapsed. The governor stressed that the state government is closely following the investigation and will ensure that the outcome is made public. He promised that the truth must be established and that the state government will follow the investigation tooth and nail.
Bago disclosed that some of those who died were not among the miners arrested at the site, but were already detained at the facility before the miners were brought in. He said that when he visited the facility, he saw corpses lying on the floor and outside the cell, with some showing blood stains, bruises, burns, and cuts. Those who survived were immediately taken to hospital, and all those rescued survived, although some remained hospitalized.
The governor said the state government had no direct control over the NSCDC, police, DSS, or military detention facilities, as these agencies report to the Federal Government. He added that governors have no authority over federal detention facilities. Bago noted that the state government became involved in the matter after residents complained about alleged illegal mining activities around the MI Wushishi Housing Estate, which had affected houses, fences, and soakaways.
Bago called for an amendment to Nigeria's mining regulatory framework to make mining a concurrent responsibility of the Federal and state governments. He said this would strengthen regulation, improve accountability, and promote safer mining practices. The governor expressed concern over the scale of mineral resources in Niger State and the spread of artisanal and illegal mining, citing the need for greater regulation and safety measures.
The governor also raised concerns over the impact of mining on agriculture and community security, particularly in areas where farming had traditionally been the main source of livelihood. He cited Shiroro Local Government Area, where residents who previously depended on farming were increasingly abandoning agriculture for mining. Bago called for restrictions on mining in areas where the activity had become problematic and advocated for a responsible mining framework.
Bago emphasized the need for a responsible mining regime to understand the quantum of minerals being extracted from the country and the financial value of these minerals. He linked artisanal mining to school dropout and the involvement of minors in mining activities, saying some of those affected in the recent incident were between 14 and 20 years old. The governor's efforts aim to bring about safer mining practices and hold accountable those responsible for the miners' deaths.
Key points
- Niger Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago vows to expose the truth behind 37 miners' deaths in NSCDC custody.
- Bago calls for joint control of mining activities by Federal and state governments to strengthen regulation and promote safer mining practices.
- The governor advocates for a responsible mining framework to address the impact of mining on agriculture, community security, and the environment.
