CSOs Demand Accountability in Niger Mining Tragedy

Civil society organizations (CSOs) have called for the arrest and prosecution of the owner of a mining site in Niger State, where 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). This demand follows allegations from survivor Malam Babawo Tudun Nasera, who claimed that the gold-mining site belonged to former military Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida.

Nasera stated that miners continued working despite NSCDC orders to stop because they were instructed to do so by the alleged owner. Babangida's aide, Dr Danladi Abdulhameed, refuted these claims, labeling them as false and without foundation.

CSOs, including Debo Adeniran from the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership and Anthony Adejuwon from Urban Alert, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the illegal mining operations and accountability for those involved, including stricter enforcement of mining laws to prevent economic sabotage.