The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the deaths of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Alake disclosed this in a statement on Friday while commiserating with Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the families of the deceased.
The minister said the team would investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish the facts of the incident.
“It is with profound shock and deep sorrow that I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the entire people of the state over the tragic loss of lives among detained citizens in Minna,” Alake said.
He described the loss of lives as particularly painful and expressed sympathy with the affected families and communities.
“During this solemn period of state mourning, my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the communities bearing the weight of this grief,” he added.
Alake commended Governor Bago for declaring a period of mourning and establishing an investigative framework to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He stressed the importance of a transparent and independent inquiry, noting that the investigation should establish accountability and help prevent similar incidents in detention and correctional facilities.
“A thorough, transparent, and independent inquiry is vital to ensure accountability and prevent any recurrence of such distress in our detention and correctional facilities,” the minister said.
Alake said the deceased were among persons reportedly arrested on suspicion of illegal mining, adding that his ministry would collaborate with other investigators to determine what happened.
“Given the allegation that the detained persons were arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal mining, I have deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the circumstances and ascertain the facts of the matter,” he said.
“The team will collaborate with other investigators to provide a comprehensive report on the incident.”
The suspects were arrested during coordinated operations in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities in the state.
