Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police, has vowed a thorough investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
He assured that the police would leave no stone unturned in establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Disu made the vows when he visited Umar Bago, Governor of Niger State in Minna on Friday, saying the police had a statutory responsibility to investigate deaths that occur in custody, particularly an incident involving the deaths of 37 persons.
The IGP described the deaths as tragic and assured the state government and residents that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly and without compromise.
He said the police would work closely with the NSCDC and the Niger State Government, which had already constituted a committee to investigate the incident and establish the circumstances that led to the deaths.
‘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,’ Disu said.
According to him, deaths occurring in custody are matters of serious concern that fall within the investigative responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force, regardless of the agency in whose custody the deaths occurred.
‘Cases of death while in custody is a very serious one, and falls under the confines of the Nigerian Police Force wherever it happens, most especially these that have 37 victims,’ he said.
The IGP said the police would collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were properly established, while avoiding any action capable of compromising the investigation.
His visit came amid growing public concern and protests in Minna following the deaths of the suspected miners.
Disu appealed to residents to remain calm and allow the authorities to complete the investigation, assuring them that the police would ensure that the process was not compromised.
‘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,’ he said.
He also warned residents against resorting to violence or taking the law into their own hands, saying the police would strengthen security measures across the state to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
‘So, I want to warn them not to take laws into their hands. We are going to ensure that we patrol the towns and ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order,’ the IGP said.
As part of his visit, Disu also inspected the locations where the incident occurred.
The deaths have generated widespread outrage in Niger State, with protesters taking to the streets of Minna and reportedly vandalising public and private property.
In response to the unrest, Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state capital as authorities moved to restore order.
Bago had earlier confirmed the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody and said the state government had commenced forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies to determine the cause of death.
The incident occurred after enforcement operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities around the Wushishi-Lukoto axis of Niger State.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have remained unclear, with the NSCDC maintaining that the cause had not yet been established and that medical and forensic examinations were ongoing.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, ordered a full-scale investigation into the deaths and suspended Suberu Aniviye, Niger State NSCDC Commandant, pending the outcome of the investigation.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a full and transparent investigation into the incident, ordering that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence should be arrested and prosecuted.
The Federal Government has also assured Nigerians that no official found culpable would be shielded from accountability.