*Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the deaths of detained persons in Minna, who were reportedly arrested on suspicion of illegal mining.
Alake, in a statement on Friday
reacting to the incident, expressed shock and deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, the bereaved families and the people of the state.
The minister described the incident as a tragedy that affects the entire country, stressing that the loss of any life remained a deeply painful occurrence.
“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,” Alake said.
According to him, the team would collaborate with other investigators handling the matter and provide a comprehensive report on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Alake also commended Governor Bago for his swift administrative response to the incident, particularly the declaration of a period of mourning and the establishment of an investigative framework to determine what transpired.
He called for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation, saying this was necessary to establish accountability and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents in detention and correctional facilities.
The minister said his thoughts and prayers were with the families and communities affected by the tragedy during the period of mourning.
He prayed that God would comfort the bereaved families and grant the deceased eternal rest.
