CSOs Demand: Niger Mining Site Owner Identity Investigation

• Civil society organizations are demanding a full investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
• A survivor alleged that former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, owned the gold-mining site, an accusation his aide has denied as false.
• CSOs insist the probe must identify the Niger mining site owner and prosecute those who failed to monitor illegal operations, not just focus on detention circumstances.
• Officials from the Niger State government and NSCDC have not confirmed the site's owner, though a security source noted many prominent indigenes own mining lands.
• Experts are calling for stricter Nigeria Mining Act enforcement and accountability for companies holding licenses, emphasizing the need for proper permits for mining activities.

The incident underscores heightened regulatory scrutiny and the potential for severe legal repercussions, including prosecution, for individuals and entities associated with illegal mining operations in Nigeria.

Civil society organizations are intensifying calls for a thorough investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who perished while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The groups emphasize that the inquiry must extend beyond the immediate circumstances surrounding the detention of the individuals, demanding a comprehensive probe into the Niger mining site owner identity and the operational structure of the facility where the arrests occurred. This incident has brought renewed focus on illegal mining accountability in Nigeria, with CSOs advocating for the arrest and prosecution of all parties responsible for the illicit operation.

The demand for a broader investigation was prompted by a survivor's allegation concerning the ownership of the gold-mining site. According to a report by SaharaReporters, Malam Babawo Tudun Nasera, one of the survivors, claimed that the site belonged to former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.). Nasera further alleged that miners continued their activities despite prior instructions from the NSCDC to cease operations, reportedly acting on directives from the individual he identified as the owner. This specific Ibrahim Babangida mining site allegation has added a significant dimension to the ongoing Niger illegal mining deaths investigation.

Following the survivor's claims, General Ibrahim Babangida's aide, Dr. Danladi Abdulhameed, issued a statement vehemently denying any connection between the former military ruler and the mining operation. Abdulhameed dismissed the report as "false, baseless and completely without foundation," asserting that Babangida had no involvement with the mine whatsoever. Despite this denial, two civil society organizations have reiterated their demand that individuals implicated in the illegal mining site should not be shielded from the ongoing investigation.

Efforts to officially confirm the Niger mining site owner identity have so far proven inconclusive. When contacted, Obed Nana, the Niger State Commissioner for Information, did not respond to inquiries. Similarly, Rabiu Muti, spokesman for the NSCDC, stated that the corps was unaware of the actual owner of the land. However, a security source indicated that numerous prominent indigenes of Niger State possess land where gold and other precious stones are extracted, suggesting a complex web of ownership in the region's mining sector.

Prominent voices within civil society are advocating for rigorous enforcement of mining regulations. Debo Adeniran, Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, stressed that the investigation must uncover those behind the illegal mining site and also identify and prosecute officials who failed in their duty to monitor operations. Adeniran characterized illegal miners as "economic saboteurs" who are "milking Nigeria dry," arguing they should face penalties comparable to those imposed on oil thieves to safeguard national resources.

Anthony Adejuwon, Founder and Team Lead of Urban Life (formerly Urban Alert), underscored that a primary objective of the investigation must be to establish the identities of all individuals involved in the illicit activities at the site. He highlighted the importance of Nigeria Mining Act enforcement, stating that if the area was licensed to a company, that firm should be held accountable for any violations. Adejuwon also emphasized the critical distinction between various types of mining licenses, noting that an exploration license does not permit activities requiring a mining lease, and called for stricter Niger State mining regulations compliance across the country to uphold legal integrity in the extractive sector.

The incident underscores heightened regulatory scrutiny and the potential for severe legal repercussions, including prosecution, for individuals and entities associated with illegal mining operations in Nigeria. Lawyers advising clients in the extractive sector must emphasize rigorous compliance with the Nigerian Mining Act and conduct thorough due diligence to identify and mitigate risks related to site ownership and operational legality, particularly in light of increased demands for accountability. The continued activities of illegal miners are reportedly linked to persistent insecurity in the country, with the exploitation of mineral resources in unregulated areas exacerbating existing challenges.

The lack of clear ownership information and the allegations surrounding prominent figures highlight systemic issues within Nigeria's mining sector. The calls from CSOs for a comprehensive Niger illegal mining deaths investigation, extending to the ultimate beneficiaries and enablers of such operations, reflect a growing demand for transparency and justice. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost and economic drain associated with non-compliance and inadequate oversight in the nation's valuable mineral-rich regions.

This incident underscores heightened regulatory scrutiny and the potential for severe legal repercussions, including prosecution, for individuals and entities associated with illegal mining operations in Nigeria. Lawyers advising clients in the extractive sector must emphasize rigorous compliance with the Nigerian Mining Act and conduct thorough due diligence to identify and mitigate risks related to site ownership and operational legality, particularly in light of increased demands for accountability.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper