The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has mourned the tragic deaths of suspected illegal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
This was as the minister deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ascertain the facts of the incident.
Alake disclosed this in a statement he personally signed and released on Friday.
He commiserated with their families, people and government of Niger State and commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for quickly handling the tension it caused in the state.
He said: “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.
“The loss of any life is a deeply painful occurrence, and a tragedy of this magnitude affects us all.
“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.
“I commend Governor Bago’s swift administrative response in declaring a period of mourning and establishing an investigative framework to uncover the full circumstances of this unfortunate incident.
“A thorough, transparent, and independent inquiry is vital to ensure accountability and prevent any recurrence of such distress in our detention and correctional facilities.
“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.
“The team will collaborate with other investigators to provide a comprehensive report on the incident.
“May the Almighty comfort the families affected and grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.”
