Survivor Claims Babangida Linked to Niger Mining Deaths

Malam Babawo Tudun Nasera, a survivor of the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, alleged that the mining site where they worked belongs to former military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Nasera recounted that his 17-year-old brother, Salim, was among those arrested and died after three days in custody.

He stated that authorities wanted the miners to cease operations despite Babangida's alleged instruction to continue. Nasera claimed that the detainees had eaten before their deaths and questioned the circumstances surrounding their demise, suggesting they were given some kind of medicine and exposed to heat.

The NSCDC labeled the miners as illegal operators, while survivors argued they were working to support their families.