IGP Disu Vows To Unravel Cause Of 37 Miners’ Deaths

Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Disu, has vowed to conduct a full investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

Disu made the commitment on Friday when he visited Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, at the Government House in Minna over the incident.

The IGP, who led a delegation of senior police officers to the state, described the deaths as tragic and said the police would work with the state government and other relevant agencies to establish what happened.

“I am here this afternoon because of the tragic incident where we lost the lives of 37 citizens of Niger and of this great state,” Disu said. “It’s 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.”

Disu said deaths occurring in custody were a serious matter, particularly given the number of people who died.

He also appealed for calm following reports of attacks on public and private property in parts of the state after the deaths.

The IGP assured residents that police patrols would be intensified across Minna and other parts of Niger State to prevent further attacks and maintain law and order.

Governor Bago, while receiving the IGP, described the incident as “very sad and disturbing.”

According to him, the suspected illegal miners were arrested at a mining site and taken into NSCDC custody before 37 of them died. “Unfortunately, in the morning, 37 of them died. Others are still in the hospital receiving treatment, and this is quite unfortunate,” Bago said.

The governor cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about the cause of the deaths, saying investigations were still ongoing.

He said overcrowding and possible exposure to poisonous substances associated with mining activities were among the issues being examined.

Bago also disclosed that preliminary autopsy observations had raised concerns, including skin peeling and foaming from the mouths of some of the deceased. He, however, stressed that the observations had not established the cause of death.

The governor said a state investigative committee comprising the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army had been constituted to investigate the incident.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Mines had also constituted a separate committee involving scientists and laboratories to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

According to Bago, soil samples would be collected from the mining site to determine whether hazardous substances were present.

Following the incident, mining activities at the affected site were banned, while mining operations across Niger State were temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigations.

Bago also confirmed the suspension of the NSCDC leadership in Niger State following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow for a proper investigation.

Meanwhile, the governor announced a 6pm-to-6am curfew across Niger State following reported attacks on public and private properties and marketplaces after the deaths.

He urged residents to remain calm and comply with the curfew as authorities continue investigations into the deaths.