Miners’ Deaths: IGP Visits Niger, Orders Thorough Police Investigation

By Anwar Usman

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has visited Niger State promising that the police would leave no stone unturned in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The IGP, who arrived at the Niger State Government House in Minna on Friday, said the police would work with the NSCDC and the state government to uncover the facts behind the deaths.

Disu said the police had a responsibility to investigate deaths in custody, describing the incident involving the 37 suspected miners as tragic.

“I am here this afternoon because of the tragic incident where we lost the lives of 37 citizens of Minna and of this same great state. It is a very tragic incident, and we want to assure you, Your Excellency, that we will leave no stone unturned to unravel the situation that led to these deaths,” he said.

He also urged residents to remain calm assuring them that the investigation would not be compromised.

He said “We want to assure them to be calm, that we would not compromise in ensuring that the proper thing is done to unravel the cause of this incident”

Disu warned residents against taking the law into their hands, saying the police would intensify efforts to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Earlier, the governor of Niger, Umar Bago, had confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died in NSCDC custody and said the state government had commenced forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies to establish the cause of the deaths.

On the other hand, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had also ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident which resulted in suspending the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye