President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full, transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners whilst in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, directing that any official found culpable be arrested and prosecuted.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the incident as a grave matter requiring urgent accountability.
Tinubu stated: “Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, such an officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability.”
Furthermore, he noted: “The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.” He warned that the government would not tolerate mass fatalities caused by official negligence or dereliction of duty, adding: “The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution.” He urged calm among affected families, concluding: “We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. The government must enforce the law firmly, but it must also obey the law. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable.”
The President mandated that the inquiry thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests made in the Wushishi and Lukoto areas on 15 and 16 September, the physical state of the suspects upon arrest, detention conditions, facility capacity, medical care provided, and the immediate causes of death. He instructed the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigators and prevent any interference.
The deaths have drawn sharp reactions across the political spectrum. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2027 African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, demanded an independent probe to hold those responsible accountable. The Federal Government, speaking through Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, assured the public that no individual would be shielded, whilst Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of investigations. The NSCDC has also set up an internal panel to examine the incident, as autopsies and forensic tests continue to establish how the detainees died.
The fatalities have triggered severe civil unrest in the state capital, prompting Governor Umar Bago to impose a 24-hour curfew. Demonstrators vandalised public buses operated by the State Transport Company, a Sterling Bank branch, political party headquarters, and private businesses. Governor Bago confirmed the 37 deaths and indicated that medical examinations are underway to determine the official cause.