NSCDC To Investigate Cause of Death Of Arrested 33 Illegal Miners In It’s Niger Custody
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has commenced an investigation into the deaths of 33 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of its Niger State Command.
The victims were among scores of suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations carried out on September 15 and 16 in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto mining areas of the state.
The deaths were discovered in the early hours of Thursday September 17 after the suspects had been taken into NSCDC custody.
The Niger State Command confirmed the deaths but said the actual cause had not been established.
The Commandant of the Corps in Niger State Suberu Siyaka Aniviye said preliminary indications pointed to a suspected outbreak of disease among the detainees.
He however stressed that the nature of the suspected disease and the actual cause of death would have to be established through medical examination.
The remains of the deceased have since been deposited at the General Hospital Minna for further medical examination and autopsy.
The medical examination is expected to establish the immediate cause of death and provide evidence that could assist the investigation.
The development has now triggered an internal investigation by the NSCDC authorities.
The Commandant General of the Corps, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has directed the constitution of a high powered investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation.
The panel is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the conditions under which the suspects were detained.
It will also investigate the medical condition of the detainees before and after their arrest as well as the circumstances preceding their deaths.
The panel is further expected to determine whether established procedures were followed in the arrest detention monitoring and treatment of the suspects.
The investigation comes amid conflicting accounts over the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
While the Niger State Command referred to a suspected disease outbreak other reports have raised questions about the conditions under which the detainees were held.
The NSCDC has however not established any specific disease as the cause of death and medical and laboratory examinations are expected to provide evidence before any conclusion is reached.
The deaths have also drawn attention to the legal obligations of security agencies towards persons in custody.
The 1999 Constitution provides protections for persons who are arrested or detained including the right to be informed of the facts and grounds for their arrest and the right to remain silent until after consultation with a legal practitioner or another person of their choice.
The constitutional protections are particularly relevant because the 33 persons died while in the custody of a government security agency and before the conclusion of any judicial process against them.
The investigation will therefore be expected to establish not only the medical cause of death but also whether the detainees received appropriate medical attention and whether adequate measures were taken when signs of illness were detected.
The incident occurred as security and regulatory agencies continue intensified operations against illegal mining across Niger State.
The September operation was part of renewed efforts by the NSCDC to disrupt unauthorised mining activities in the state.
Illegal mining remains a major concern to government authorities because of its environmental economic and security implications.
However the deaths of persons arrested during an enforcement operation have introduced a separate public accountability dimension to the incident.
The NSCDC has appealed to families of the deceased and members of the public to remain calm while the investigation continues.
The Corps has also said it remains committed to human rights standards and the protection of lives and property.
Meanwhile the remains of the deceased have even moved to the General Hospital in Minna where medical examinations are expected to provide further evidence on what led to the deaths.
The outcome of the autopsy and the investigative panel will be crucial in establishing whether the deaths resulted solely from a disease outbreak or whether other factors related to the arrest detention and treatment of the suspects contributed to the fatalities.
By MiningToday
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Mınna, Nıger State
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
