IGP Disu Visits Niger, Vows Thorough Probe Into Deaths Of 37 Miners In NSCDC Custody
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Thirty-seven people arrested over alleged illegal mining ended up dead in the custody of a security agency, leaving authorities under pressure to explain how the deaths occurred and prompting the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to demand a thorough investigation.
Disu visited Niger State on Friday following the deaths of the suspected illegal miners, assuring the state government and families of the deceased that the Police would leave no stone unturned in establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The suspects were reportedly arrested a day earlier over alleged illegal mining activities before they were found dead in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the early hours of Friday.
Received by Governor Muhammad Umar Bago and heads of security agencies in the state, the IGP described the incident as a tragedy requiring urgent action.
He called for close cooperation between the Police, NSCDC and the committee constituted by the state government to investigate the deaths, stressing that deaths in lawful custody were a grave matter, particularly as the circumstances remained unexplained.
Governor Bago said the incident had caused serious unrest in the state, adding that forensic examinations and autopsies would be used to help determine the cause of death.
He assured the relevant security agencies of the state government’s full support for the investigation.
Disu also appealed to residents, particularly families of the deceased, to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the investigation would be guided by due process, transparency, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The Police said the investigation would be conducted without compromise as authorities seek to establish what led to the deaths of the 37 miners.
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