Niger Miners’ Deaths: No One Culpable Will Escape —Minister

The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, has assured that anyone found culpable in the death of persons arrested during an enforcement operation against suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State would not be shielded from appropriate action.

He gave the assurance in a statement on Friday while expressing the federal government’s condolences over the loss of lives following the incident in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of the state.

Idris conveyed the government’s condolences to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the government and people of the state, traditional leaders and residents of Wushishi, as well as the families and loved ones of the deceased.

The minister said the federal government regarded the protection of the lives, dignity and fundamental rights of every Nigerian as a solemn responsibility, stressing that the circumstances surrounding the deaths required a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.

He said the government had already taken steps to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

“The swift action taken by the Honourable Minister of Interior underscores the seriousness with which the Federal Government views this matter.

“The investigation will be allowed to establish exactly what happened, and the Government assures Nigerians that appropriate action will be taken based on its findings,” Idris said.