Tinubu, Alake, Tunji-Ojo have ’37 unexplained deaths’ on their hands over Niger state mining operation — Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of having “37 unexplained deaths on their hands” following the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State.

Atiku said the deaths of 37 Nigerians arrested over alleged illegal mining must not be allowed to be overshadowed by what he described as “propaganda” or the suspension of junior officers.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate said the victims were arrested alive by government agents and detained under government authority but did not return alive to their families.

“Thirty-seven Nigerians, many of them teenagers, entered government custody alive. Thirty-seven of them died there,” the statement reads.

“The Tinubu administration cannot explain away 37 bodies with press releases, suspensions and bureaucratic excuses.

“These were not casualties of Boko Haram. They were not murdered by bandits. They did not die on a battlefield. They died after agents of the Nigerian government arrested, transported and detained them inside a government facility.

“The government seized their freedom and assumed responsibility for their safety. It must now account for every life lost. President Tinubu, Dele Alake and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo cannot hide behind propaganda while 37 Nigerian families bury their children.”

Atiku drew a comparison between the Niger incident and the 2014 Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment tragedy at the National Stadium in Abuja, where at least 16 people died.

He noted that Abba Moro, who was the supervising minister at the time, was investigated and subsequently prosecuted over the incident.

The former vice-president questioned why a similar standard should not be applied to the current case and whether the victims’ poverty, unemployment and alleged involvement in illegal mining affected the value placed on their lives.

“Those Nigerians were arrested during an operation against alleged illegal mining and detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, an agency supervised by the ministry of interior,” Atiku said.

“Survivors have alleged that they were crammed into an overcrowded, poorly ventilated cell where they struggled to breathe.

“That allegation demands an immediate and independent criminal investigation. It cannot be resolved through an internal inquiry in which government officials investigate government agents and present government-approved conclusions to Nigerians.”

Atiku said Tunji-Ojo should provide an explanation because he oversees the ministry responsible for the agency where the deaths allegedly occurred.

He also criticised Alake over enforcement operations in the mining sector, while saying President Tinubu bears ultimate responsibility for the actions of his administration.

“He cannot behave like a spectator whenever his administration is confronted by tragedy, scandal or failure. The buck stops at his desk, and 37 unexplained deaths cannot be delegated away,” Atiku said.

“Suspending a few officers is not justice. Junior officers must not be turned into sacrificial lambs while those who authorised, supervised and controlled the operation escape scrutiny.”

Atiku further called for detention registers, operational records, communication logs, medical reports and surveillance footage connected to the incident to be preserved. He also demanded independent autopsies.

“The findings must be made public, and anyone found responsible must face the full weight of the law, regardless of uniform, rank or political connection,” he said.

“We demand the truth. We demand accountability. We demand justice for all 37 victims.”