The Federal Government (FG) has dispatched a team of experts to Niger State to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.
The delegation from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, led by its Permanent Secretary, Faruk Yabo, met with Niger State Governor Umaru Bago on Friday as authorities intensified efforts to establish what caused the deaths.
Yabo said the team would conduct a thorough investigation and produce a detailed report on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He described the deaths as tragic and unacceptable, noting that mining activities should contribute to economic development rather than result in loss of life.
“I extend the deepest condolences of the minister and ministry to the governor, his cabinet and the people, especially the families of the victims of this highly tragic incident,” Yabo said.
The Permanent Secretary also said the ministry would take measures to prevent a recurrence, with particular attention to compliance with established procedures and safety standards in mining operations.
The Federal intervention comes as the circumstances surrounding the deaths continue to generate concern, with authorities yet to establish a definitive cause.
Receiving the delegation, Bago said it was too early to reach a conclusion on what killed the 37 detainees.
He disclosed that preliminary information available to the state government pointed to possible suffocation or exposure to poisonous substances.
The governor’s disclosure adds a new dimension to the investigation, as the precise circumstances inside the facility where the suspected miners were held have yet to be established.
Bago said the Federal Government’s investigation would complement a committee of inquiry already constituted by the Niger State Government to examine the incident.
The state government had earlier opened its own inquiry following the deaths, while the Federal Government directed relevant authorities to establish what happened.
As part of the state’s immediate response, Bago announced the suspension of all mining activities across Niger State pending the conclusion of the investigations.
The suspension affects mining operations across the state and is intended to halt activities while authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and review safety and enforcement procedures.
Bago also called on the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to collaborate with the state government on stronger enforcement and responsible mining practices.
The development places both mining safety and the treatment of suspected illegal miners under scrutiny.
While the victims were reportedly arrested over alleged illegal mining activities, the investigation is expected to determine what happened after their detention and whether any breach of procedure contributed to their deaths.
The Federal ministry’s expert team is expected to provide a technical assessment of the incident, while the state panel will pursue its own inquiry.
Until the investigations are concluded, the cause of the deaths cannot be treated as established. The findings of the two inquiries could therefore be crucial in determining the circumstances that led to the deaths and identifying any failures that may have occurred.
The tragedy has also prompted renewed attention to safety standards within mining operations and the responsibility of authorities involved in regulating and enforcing the sector.
For the families of the 37 deceased men, the investigations are expected to provide answers about how their relatives died while in government custody.
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