Niger Tragedy: We Had No Knowledge Of 37 Illegal Miners’ Arrest —  Governor Bago 

Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, says the state government was not aware of the arrest and detention of the suspected illegal miners who later died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Bago disclosed this during a live interview on Channels Television on Sunday night, while speaking on the deaths of suspected illegal miners detained by the NSCDC in Minna.

The governor’s comments came amid ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which have triggered public concern and calls for accountability.

According to reports, the miners were arrested during NSCDC operations against illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

Bago had earlier disclosed that 67 artisanal and suspected illegal miners were detained at an NSCDC facility before 37 of them died in custody. He said the exact cause of death had not been established and that possible suffocation arising from overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances were among the issues being considered.

The federal government has since ordered an independent investigation into the incident, while 24 NSCDC personnel linked to the incident have been placed in custody pending the outcome of investigations.

Speaking on the state government’s knowledge of the arrests, Bago said he only became aware of the development after reports of the incident emerged and protests began.

The governor said the state government was not informed beforehand about the arrest and detention of the suspected illegal miners, stressing that the security agencies involved operate under the authority of the federal government.

Bago also lamented the growing involvement of communities traditionally known for farming in mining activities, saying some residents had abandoned agriculture for mining.

He added that artisanal miners who had been exposed to large sums of money through mining could find it difficult to abandon the trade and return to farming.

“Mining isn’t just about digging the gold. It’s a big industry, with expatriates from other countries operating in our states without us having the power to halt their activities,” the governor said.

According to him, some of the expatriates operating in the sector are licensed, while the relevant authorities and security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), are aware of their activities.

This is even as the NSCDC, in its latest statement, said the 24 personnel are currently being held at its National Headquarters in Abuja, where they are undergoing interrogation and administrative disciplinary action.

The Corps also said the personnel would be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigation panels for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Bago also raised concerns about the conditions under which artisanal miners operate, saying they are often not provided with adequate protective equipment or proper accommodation.

He further said the miners lacked adequate social support, including scholarship opportunities for their children.

The governor’s comments come as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrest, detention and deaths of the suspected illegal miners and determine responsibility where wrongdoing is established.