Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the deaths of detainees arrested over alleged illegal mining activities.
Alake, in a statement , expressed shock and sadness over the incident, which occurred in Minna, and condoled with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the affected families and the people of the state.
He commended Bago for declaring a period of mourning and setting up an investigative framework to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The minister said a thorough, transparent and independent inquiry was necessary to establish accountability and prevent a recurrence in 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,” he said.
According to him, the ministerial team would work with other investigators and submit a comprehensive report on the incident.
Alake prayed for comfort for the bereaved families and eternal rest for the deceased.
