Coomassie Demands Transparency in Niger Miners' Deaths

Ambassador Hussaini Coomassie has called on the Federal Government to publish the findings of investigations into the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in Niger State, which occurred on September 17 after their arrest during an operation against illegal mining. Coomassie's appeal comes as the Federal Government, Niger State Government, and Nigeria Police Force initiate separate investigations into the incident.

Following the deaths, the Federal Government suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and other personnel involved. Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo established a 10-member committee, chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the miners' deaths.

Coomassie stressed that the findings must be made public and that a broader investigation should include various stakeholders, including security agencies and human rights advocates. He criticized the two-week timeframe for the investigation as insufficient and called for adequate access to evidence and witnesses.