DIPLOMAN TIMES

Niger State is investigating the deaths of 37 artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, with state and federal authorities deploying separate investigative processes and temporarily suspending mining activities across the state.

The Niger State government publication said the state had constituted a committee chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, with Commissioner for Homeland Security Maurice Magaji serving as secretary. The committee is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The state government said forensic examinations and autopsies would be conducted. The Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC and Department of State Services were also reported to have initiated investigative processes, while the NSCDC Commandant-General suspended the Niger State Commandant and his team to facilitate investigation.

The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals separately deployed experts to investigate the deaths. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said information available at the time suggested possible suffocation or exposure to poisonous substances, while stressing that it was too early to establish the root cause.

The state government subsequently suspended mining activities across Niger State pending the outcome of investigations and closed illegal mining activities around the M I Wushishi mining site. Bago also engaged miners and mine workers on responsible mining, safety and community protection.

As of September 21, the government had also undertaken identification of the deceased and their families, provided or planned support for affected families and held prayers for the victims. The state government also relaxed the Minna curfew effective September 21 while investigations continued.