37 Miners’ death: ‘I’m Chief Security Officer by mouth’ — Gov Bago

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has said the state government has limited control over federal security agencies operating in the state, explaining that the police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) do not report directly to him despite his designation as the state’s chief security officer.

Bago made the clarification while responding to questions on the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in NSCDC custody in Minna and whether the state government bore any responsibility for the incident.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the governor said the Niger State Government was not informed when the suspected miners were arrested and detained.

“I’m just a chief security officer of the state by mouth. The NSCDC don’t report to me. The police don’t report to me. The ministry don’t report to me. They report to the centre,” Bago said.

He explained that the state government had limited control over federal facilities, including police stations, civil defence facilities and detention centres.

According to him, the state government normally intervenes when complaints concerning unlawful detention or related issues are formally brought to its attention by members of the public, civil society organisations or through relevant government institutions.

“But when we have issues or complaints by civil society organisations, we step in and we try to intervene,” he said.

The governor added that the state government would usually become involved when cases of alleged unlawful detention were brought before the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women Affairs or the courts.

Bago’s comments followed the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were among 67 people arrested during NSCDC operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The detainees were subsequently held at an NSCDC facility in Minna, where 37 were found dead on September 17. The exact cause of death remains under investigation. The NSCDC initially referred to a suspected disease outbreak, while authorities have also been examining possible suffocation linked to overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances associated with mining activities.

The governor had earlier said forensic, medical and autopsy examinations were being pursued to establish the scientific cause of the deaths.

The incident has triggered public concern and protests in Minna, with questions also being raised over the circumstances of the arrests, detention conditions and the roles of the various authorities responsible for security and mining enforcement.

In response, the Federal Government ordered an independent investigation and suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the probe. The 10-member committee constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is expected to examine the identities of the deceased, their arrest and detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

Bago has also called for stronger federal intervention in regulating mining activities in problematic areas of the state, including consideration of an executive order to restrict mining in identified locations.

The governor said the state government would continue to intervene within the limits of its authority, while urging calm as investigations into the deaths continue.