Governor Bago Reiterates Commitment to Investigate Actual Cause of 37 Deaths
in NSCDC Custody
By YM Bina
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has reiterated the state government commitment to investigate the actual cause of the deaths of 37 arrested persons who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.
Governor Bago stated this at a three-day Fida’a prayer held at the Tunga Central Mosque on Sunday in Minna for the souls of those who died in the NSCDC detention facility.
He said the prayer was organised to honour the deceased, console their families and pray for peace in Niger State and Nigeria , while assuring the families that the government would conduct a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths, stressing that the findings would be made public.
According to him, “Government is doing everything possible to get to the crux of this matter. When that is done, it will be made very public. We are not going to take anything for granted. We are going to probe deeply so that we can get the real causes of these deaths.” Bago said
Governor Bago explained that preliminary information indicated that some people were already in the detention cells before the newly arrested persons were brought in, adding that the investigation would determine who was detained earlier, who was brought in later, and the identities and ages of those arrested.
The governor gave the example of an Igbo man who, according to him, had allegedly been detained for stealing from his employer before the incident and was among those who died.
He said the government would adopt a holistic approach in investigating the incident and would also work with mining stakeholders to address activities around the area.
Bago further announced that the government would provide palliatives and other forms of support to the families of the deceased, to reach out to survivors who were receiving treatment in hospitals, while the Emir of Minna would supervise the distribution of the assistance.
The governor however, appealed to residents of Minna and other Nigerlites to shun violence, assuring them that the curfew imposed following the unrest would be lifted after the night of the prayer to allow residents to return to their normal activities.
The Chief Imam of Tunga Central Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Salisu Isah Mai Dalalainu, who led the prayer session, prayed for Allah’s comfort and mercy for the families of the deceased.
He described the incident as unfortunate and urged residents not to allow it to become a reason for public unrest or violence. Prayed for divine guidance and wisdom for Governor Bago, elected and appointed leaders, traditional rulers and other authorities in the state and Nigeria.
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