A survivor of the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State has alleged that the gold-mining site where the miners were arrested belongs to former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
The survivor, Malam Babawo Tudun Nasera, made the allegation while speaking about the arrest and death of his 17-year-old brother, Salim, who was among the miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In a video circulating on social media, Nasera said the miners were instructed to stop working at the site but continued because, according to him, the owner had directed them to keep working.
When asked who owned the mining site, Nasera reportedly responded, “It belongs to Babangida.” When asked whether he was referring to former military ruler Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, he answered in the affirmative.
Nasera also claimed that Babangida had instructed the miners to continue working at the site.
However, the ownership claim has not been independently verified. It remains unclear whether Babangida allegedly owns the mining operation, holds a mining lease, owns the land, or was being referred to in another capacity.
The allegation comes amid an ongoing investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were arrested during NSCDC operations in Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago confirmed that 37 detainees died while in NSCDC custody, saying the exact cause of death had not yet been established. Medical, forensic and autopsy examinations are being conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Some survivors have separately alleged that the detainees were held in overcrowded cells with poor ventilation and struggled to breathe. The NSCDC initially cited a suspected disease outbreak but later said the actual cause of the deaths had yet to be established.
Nasera said his younger brother, Salim, was 17 years old and had gone to the mining site with others in an effort to earn money to support their families.
He alleged that the detainees spent three days in NSCDC custody before the deaths were discovered, questioning what could have caused so many people to die within such a short period.
Meanwhile, Babangida has condemned the deaths and called for a comprehensive investigation. Through his representative, Dr Danladi Umar Abdulhameed, the former military ruler expressed condolences to the bereaved families and urged residents to remain calm while investigations continue.
The Federal Government has suspended the NSCDC commandant in Niger State and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The alleged connection between Babangida and the mining site is therefore among the claims that would need to be independently established as authorities investigate the mining operation, the arrests and the deaths in custody.
