Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has cautioned against drawing conclusions on the cause of the deaths of 37 miners, adding that there was blood, “foam’ (froth) in their mouths, which could be poisoning or suffocation.
He added that “there were burns on the bodies of some. We really don’t know what happened but investigation will unravel the truth.”
Meanwhile, residents of Minna, Niger state capital, yesterday, took to the streets rioting in protest against the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, in the state.
The youths angered by the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners reportedly took to the streets and barricaded major roads, while security operatives allegedly deployed tear gas to disperse the protesters. Reports also emerged of the alleged use of live ammunition during the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, a human rights organisation, Global Rights, has demanded a probe into the alleged use of live ammunition by security forces to quell the riot in Minna.
Govt imposes curfew
The unrest prompted Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, to impose a 24-hour curfew in parts of Minna, effective immediately after Friday’s Jumat prayers. Meanwhile, Governor Bago cautioned against drawing conclusions on the cause of the deaths, saying the actual cause had yet to be established.
The governor said possible causes being investigated included suffocation arising from overcrowding in the detention cell and exposure to hazardous chemicals associated with illegal mining. According to him, “We just woke up to the news of the death, we don’t know what happened. Some of the victims were found with foam or blood in their mouths which could be poisoning or suffocation. We are not sure. Samples were taken from some of them before they were buried. There were burns on the bodies of some. We really don’t know what happened but investigation will unravel the truth”.
He disclosed that forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies were being conducted to establish the scientific cause of the deaths. He lamented that illegal mining activities were taking a toll on the children in the state who preferred illegal mining than going to school or acquiring skills. He has however ordered the suspension of all mining activities in the state.
Bago also said committees constituted by the NSCDC, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services were investigating the incident, alongside the committee set up by the state government.