‘Every Nigerian’s life matters’ — Tinubu directs investigation into miners’ deaths

President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive for a complete and thorough investigation into the deaths of the suspects that were being held by the NSCDC after arrest operations carried out in Minna, Niger State.

This was after allegations emerged of the deaths of some suspects that had been arrested in the area of Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate, Minna.

Tinubu, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said no Nigerian should die in government custody as a result of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.

The statement was titled, “The Life of Every Nigerian Matters; Government Will Not Tolerate Mass Death Caused by Official Negligence.”

The President described the reported deaths as a grave development requiring urgent investigation and accountability.

He directed relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation covering the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were held, the number of people detained at the facility, the medical attention provided to them and the events leading to their deaths.

Tinubu also directed the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with all investigative authorities handling the matter.

He further ordered that no officer should interfere with the investigation or frustrate efforts to establish what happened.

“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.

The President stressed that being suspected of illegal mining did not strip the detainees of their fundamental rights.

“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody,” he said.

Tinubu warned that the government would not tolerate deaths resulting from negligence or failure by public officials to protect people placed under their care.

“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.

The President also ordered that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through abuse, negligence or other actions should face criminal proceedings where the evidence supports 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.

Tinubu further clarified that administrative sanctions against officers would not replace criminal accountability where evidence establishes culpability.

“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.

The President expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm among the affected families and communities.

He assured them that the Federal Government would pursue the truth and take appropriate action based on the outcome of a credible investigation.

Tinubu added: “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.”