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Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
Tinubu issued the directive on Friday in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) held the detainees after enforcement operations in Minna.
The deaths occurred after operations around the Lt Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.
Tinubu said every Nigerian’s life matters and must be protected while in government custody. He said no citizen should die in custody because of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty. The President described the deaths as a grave matter requiring urgent investigation and accountability.
“While the Federal Government would continue to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities across the country, enforcement operations must be conducted strictly within the law and with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every person in custody,” Tinubu said.
He stressed that the suspects’ alleged involvement in illegal mining did not remove their right to life or humane treatment.
“Government will not tolerate mass deaths arising from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officials to protect the lives placed under their care,” he said.
Tinubu added that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence must face prosecution.
“Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, such an officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There must be accountability,” he said.
The President directed authorities to investigate the arrests, the detainees’ condition, the number of people held and their detention conditions.
The investigation will also cover the medical care provided and the events that led to the deaths.
Tinubu said suspending officers must not replace a criminal investigation when the evidence supports prosecution.
“The suspension of officers is only an administrative step and must not substitute for a proper determination of criminal responsibility where the evidence warrants prosecution,” he said.
He directed the Interior Ministry and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigators.
He also warned officers against interfering with the process or frustrating efforts to establish the truth.
The President condoled with the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.
He also appealed for calm among affected families and communities.
Tinubu assured them that the Nigerian Government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on credible evidence.
“We must never allow the pursuit of one form of illegality to create another. The government must enforce the law firmly, but it must also obey the law. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable,” he said.
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE:
PRESIDENT TINUBU: THE LIFE OF EVERY NIGERIAN MATTERS, GOVERNMENT WILL NOT TOLERATE MASS DEATHS CAUSED BY OFFICIAL NEGLIGENCE
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal… pic.twitter.com/6xwYuUQuue
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) September 18, 2026
