Rufai Oseni, an anchor with Arise Television, has expressed doubts about the outcome of a government-led investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. Oseni spoke on Monday during Arise Television’s Morning Show as concerns continue to mount […]
Rufai Oseni, an anchor with Arise Television, has expressed doubts about the outcome of a government-led investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
Oseni spoke on Monday during Arise Television’s Morning Show as concerns continue to mount over the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The incident has attracted reactions from across the country, with calls for an independent and transparent investigation into what happened to the detainees while they were in NSCDC custody.
The NSCDC had explained that the detainees died following a suspected outbreak of disease.
According to the Corps, the bodies were subsequently deposited at the General Hospital in Minna, where medical examinations were to be conducted to establish the actual cause of death.
However, Oseni questioned whether an investigation conducted by government agencies would provide the answers being sought by Nigerians.
“I welcome the need for investigations, but the fact remains that if the investigations are carried out by government agencies, nothing will come out of them,” he said.
The broadcaster further shifted attention to the mining operation involving the deceased, questioning who was behind the activities and who provided the financial resources required to operate the mining site.
Oseni asked, “Who are the people involved in this mining? Because it takes people with substantial financial resources to engage in mining. Who owns the mining site?”
His comments came against the backdrop of growing demands for greater transparency over the deaths of the suspected miners.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have remained a subject of public concern, particularly because the victims reportedly died while in the custody of a security agency.
While the NSCDC has attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, medical examination of the bodies was expected to provide further information on the actual cause of death.
Oseni’s remarks have therefore added another dimension to the debate, with questions extending beyond the immediate cause of death to the ownership and financing of the mining activities involving the detainees.