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POLICE PROBE DEATHS OF 37 SUSPECTED ILLEGAL MINERS IN NIGER
The Niger State Police Command has begun investigating the deaths of 37 artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civ...
By Patience
The police investigation follows a directive from Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu and is aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
POLICE SECURE SCENE OF INCIDENT
The Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, directed Operation Flush patrol teams to secure and cordon off the scene connected to the incident.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police heading the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna has also begun preliminary forensic investigations as part of efforts to establish what happened.
Police said the investigation would be conducted in accordance with due process and appealed to the families of the deceased and members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with investigators.
CAUSE OF DEATH STILL BEING INVESTIGATED
The cause of the deaths has not been conclusively established.
The Federal Government has separately constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the arrests, detention and deaths of the 37 people. The committee has also been tasked with determining responsibility and examining whether negligence or misconduct occurred.
Authorities have said medical examinations and investigations are necessary to establish the actual circumstances surrounding the deaths.
OSUN POLICE TRACK SUSPECTS
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command said its investigation into recent killings in the state has produced useful leads.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said some people identified in connection with the killings remain at large and that efforts are underway to locate and arrest them.
The command appealed to members of the public with credible information to assist the investigation, assuring them that information provided would be treated confidentially.
POLICE ISSUE WARNING OVER PLANNED PROTEST
The Osun State Police Command also said it had received intelligence about a planned protest by a group it described as the “Congress of Cultists,” which it alleged was associated with the Neo-Black Movement, also known as Black Axe.
The command warned against any activity that could disrupt public peace or endanger lives and property. The allegation concerning the group's association remains a police claim and is not presented here as an established fact.
Investigations into both the Niger deaths and the Osun killings remain ongoing, with authorities yet to complete their respective inquiries.