‘The Site Belongs To Babangida’ – Survivor links deaths of miners in NSCDC custody to ex-Military Ruler

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A survivor of the reported deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has alleged that the mining site where they worked belongs to former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

The survivor, Malam Babawo Tudun Nasera, made the allegation while recounting the arrest and death of his 17-year-old brother, Salim, who was among the miners detained by NSCDC personnel.

Nasera made the claims in a video seen by SaharaReporters, saying the miners were arrested at the mining site and remained in custody for three days before the deaths were discovered.

According to him, the authorities had ordered the miners to stop working at the site, despite an alleged instruction from its owner that mining activities should continue.

“They wanted us to stop working at the site,” Nasera said.

When asked why the authorities wanted the mining operation halted, he said the owner had directed the miners to continue working.

“They wanted the work to stop, even though the owner of the place had said that we should continue working,” he said.

Asked who owned the site, Nasera responded, “It belongs to Babangida.”

He subsequently clarified that he was referring to retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB.

When asked whether Babangida had personally instructed the miners to continue working, Nasera replied, “Yes, he said we should continue working.”

However, it has not been independently established whether Babangida personally owns the mining operation, holds a mining licence or lease over the site, owns the land on which the mining took place, or whether Nasera was referring to him in another capacity.

The NSCDC has described the miners as illegal operators, while survivors have maintained that they were working at the site to earn a living.

Survivor recounts brother’s death

Nasera said his younger brother, Salim, was 17 years old when he died while in custody.

“They killed him. We saw him,” he alleged.

Asked to identify the deceased, he said, “His name was Salim. He was 17 years old.”

Nasera explained that the miners had gone to the site to earn money to feed their families.

“We went there looking for food. The mining site was where people went to find something to feed their families. It was hard work.

“Then Civil Defence officers came, arrested them and took them away. What were we supposed to do?

“They kept them in custody for three days. They were all in their custody. We tried to get them released, but they refused and said they would not allow it,” he said.

He confirmed that the miners remained in NSCDC custody for three days.

“Yes, they were in their custody. They had been there for three days,” he said.

Nasera also questioned the circumstances surrounding the deaths, saying the detainees had eaten before their bodies were discovered.

“Yesterday, they brought food to them, and they ate. Each of them ate until he was satisfied. But from yesterday morning until today, what happened that made us come and find out that someone had died?” he asked.

The survivor further alleged that the detainees were given what he described as some form of medicine or substance and were exposed to heat.

Asked what he believed could have caused the deaths, Nasera said, “If it was not medicine, what else could it have been?”

The allegations have not been independently established.

The reported deaths have prompted investigations by the Federal Government, the police, the NSCDC and the Niger State Government. An independent committee constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has also been mandated to investigate the identities of the deceased, their arrests and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

The committee is expected to determine whether negligence, misconduct or other factors contributed to the incident and recommend appropriate action based on its findings.