The Niger State Government has constituted a committee of inquiry to determine the root cause of the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command.
According to a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the probe at a press conference, saying the state government would deploy forensic examination and autopsies to establish the exact circumstances and cause of the deaths.
The committee will be chaired by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, while the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, will serve as secretary.
Bago disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC had also initiated separate investigations into the incident.
The governor said the multiple investigations were aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensuring that appropriate action was taken based on established facts.
He also disclosed that the NSCDC Commandant General had suspended the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and his team to facilitate an unhindered investigation into the incident.
Describing the deaths as unfortunate and tragic, Bago expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the state government would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.
He said his administration valued the lives of residents and would not tolerate injustice, adding that every relevant circumstance surrounding the incident would be thoroughly examined.
According to the governor, the government has commenced the compilation of a register of the families of the deceased to facilitate direct engagement and support.
He appealed to the affected families to remain patient, assuring them that the government would make every effort to establish the remote and immediate causes of the deaths.
As part of measures following the incident, Bago announced the closure of all illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site.
He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face prosecution, while experts from Abuja would be invited to conduct a technical analysis of the mining site.
The governor further appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, urging them to allow the relevant authorities to complete their investigations.
