Tinubu Orders Probe Into Deaths of Suspected Illegal Miners in Niger NSCDC Custody

suspected illegal miners who were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.The President said the investigation followed reports of deaths among the suspects detained during enforcement operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.Tinubu, in a statement, expressed concern over the incident and stressed that every Nigerian has the right to life and humane treatment while in government custody.“The life of every Nigerian matters. No citizen should lose their life while in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty,” the President said.He said the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be urgently and thoroughly established, adding that the government’s fight against illegal mining and other criminal activities must be carried out within the law.“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment,” Tinubu said.The President directed investigators to establish the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were held and the number of people detained at the facility.He also ordered that the investigation examine the medical attention provided to the detainees and the events leading to their deaths.Tinubu warned that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, negligence or dereliction of duty would face legal consequences.“Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, that officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability,” he said.The President also clarified that the suspension of officers involved in the matter would not replace a criminal investigation where evidence points to possible wrongdoing.“The suspension of officers is an administrative step. It cannot substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” he said.Tinubu directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with relevant investigative authorities and warned officers against interfering with the process.He also appealed for calm among the affected families and communities while extending his condolences to the families of those who died.“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. Government must enforce the law firmly, but government itself must obey the law,” the President said.“The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable.”