A survivor of the tragedy in which 37 suspected illegal miners died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State has alleged that the gold mining site where they were arrested belongs to the former! military Head of State, retired Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
The allegation, if established, may corroborate an earlier claim by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that retired Army generals are behind illegal mining in Nigeria.
Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, had in 2024 told a Senate Committee that powerful Nigerians, including retired generals, were using helicopters and private security to facilitate illegal mining across the country, costing the nation huge revenue losses.
The latest allegation was made by Malam Babawo Tudun Nasera, who said his 17-year-old brother, Salim, was among those who died in custody.
In a video seen by SaharaReporters, Nasera alleged that the miners were asked to stop work at the site, but that the owner insisted they should continue.
Asked who owned the site, he alleged: “It belongs to Babangida.” When asked to clarify which Babangida, he alleged it was the former military ruler popularly known as IBB.
He further alleged: “Yes, he said we should continue working.”
The ownership claim could not be independently verified as of press time. It remains unclear whether the allegation refers to ownership of the mining operation, a mining lease, the land itself, or in another capacity.
Nasera also alleged that the miners were held for three days before the deaths 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 said, alleging that the detainees were given “some kind of medicine” and exposed to heat.
The NSCDC accused the suspects of illegal mining, while survivors insisted they were at the site to earn a living.
“We went there looking for food. The mining site was where people went to find something to feed their families,” Nasera said.
Meanwhile, Gen. Babangida, through Dr. Danladi Umar Abdulhameed, the Tambarin Kagara, has described the deaths as tragic and disturbing, condoling with the families and commending the Niger State Government for setting up a committee of inquiry and ordering forensic examinations to determine the cause of death.
He appealed for calm while investigations continue.
(SaharaReporters)