President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of thirty seven suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State, warning that his government will not tolerate mass deaths caused by official negligence. In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the life of every Nigerian matters and that no citizen should lose his life while in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.

The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations around the M. I. Wushishi and Lukoto axis of Minna between the fifteenth and sixteenth of September, and were confirmed dead only hours after being taken into custody. The Niger State command of the NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but the explanation has done little to quiet growing public alarm over conditions inside the facility where the men were held.

A survivor of the incident, Dauda Shehu, told the Associated Press that about sixty five detainees were crammed into a poorly ventilated cell, and that many of them developed breathing difficulties and scrambled for fresh air before dying. His account has intensified calls from rights advocates and members of the public for a transparent inquiry into what actually happened inside the facility, including whether the detainees received timely medical attention.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has already suspended the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Aniviye, pending the outcome of investigations, describing the incident as unfortunate and insisting that government’s ultimate priority remains the security of lives. The NSCDC headquarters, through its Comptroller General Abubakar Audi, confirmed the suspension separately and directed Aniviye to report to Abuja for questioning. A senior panel led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation has since been constituted to examine the circumstances of the arrests, the length of time the detainees spent in custody, the state of the detention facility, the medical care provided and the events that immediately preceded the deaths.

In his own statement, President Tinubu stressed that suspects arrested for illegal mining do not forfeit their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody, and warned that any official found through investigation to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence would be arrested and prosecuted. He noted that the suspension of officers was only an administrative step and must not be mistaken for a final determination of criminal responsibility, which he said would only follow where evidence warrants prosecution.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has declared three days of mourning for the victims and set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the deaths, while also ordering forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the exact cause of death. The governor also cancelled a political rally that had been scheduled to hold in Minna on Saturday following the tragedy.

The deaths have drawn condemnation from prominent public figures, including former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, both of whom have called for a transparent investigation and accountability for anyone found to have violated the detainees’ rights or failed in their duty of care. Adeyanju in particular questioned the disease outbreak explanation offered by the NSCDC and demanded a credible, independent inquiry into what triggered the deaths and whether appropriate medical attention was provided once the detainees began falling ill.

President Tinubu, in his statement, extended condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm among affected communities, while assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government would pursue the truth and act on whatever the investigation establishes. He said the pursuit of one form of illegality must never be allowed to create another, adding that government must enforce the law firmly while also obeying it, since the sanctity of human life admits no compromise.