BREAKING: ‘Every Nigerian Life Matters’ — Tinubu Orders Full Probe of Minna Custody Deaths

• Vows prosecution of any officer found culpable, says government won’t tolerate deaths from official negligence

• “Suspected illegal miners have the right to life, dignity and humane treatment”

By Our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, declaring that no Nigerian should die in government custody because of negligence, abuse or inhumane treatment.

The President, who expressed deep concern over the incident, also directed that any officer found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence should be arrested and prosecuted.

The detainees reportedly died following NSCDC enforcement operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the deaths as a grave matter requiring an urgent, comprehensive and unhindered investigation.

He stressed that although the Federal Government would continue its campaign against illegal mining and other criminal activities, enforcement agencies had no licence to disregard the rights or lives of suspects.

“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,” the President said.

Tinubu declared that his administration would not tolerate mass deaths resulting from official negligence, dereliction of duty or failure by public officers to protect people placed in their care.

“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 investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the physical condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, conditions at the detention facility, the number of people detained, medical attention provided, and the events immediately preceding the deaths.

Tinubu also made clear that the suspension of officers implicated in the incident would not be sufficient if evidence of criminal responsibility emerged.

“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 consequently directed the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with investigators and ensure that no officer interferes with the inquiry or attempts to obstruct efforts to establish the truth.

Tinubu extended condolences to the families of those who died and appealed for calm in the affected communities, assuring them that the Federal Government would pursue the facts and act on credible evidence.

He said the government must demonstrate that its campaign against criminality would itself remain firmly within the boundaries of the law.

“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,” the President declared.