Trust Issues and Findings in the Minna Mining Tragedy

The trust between the Nigerian government and its citizens is very low. When a committee is set up to look into issues, people often doubt its effectiveness. In the Daily Trust newsroom, we joked about it. We called it the committee on snakes, after Ross Perot, a US presidential candidate, who criticized the American government for creating committees for everything: “If you see a snake, just kill it. Don’t appoint a committee on snakes.”

Sadly, Nigeria has not been good at handling these matters over the years. Many committee reports just sit on shelves collecting dust. When the Federal Government, through the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, formed the NSCDC committee to investigate the deaths of artisanal miners in Niger State, many were skeptical. I was one of the committee members.

Still, many people reached out to show support and said they would wait to see what we would find, knowing I would not hide the truth. All the committee members were eager and came with their integrity intact. We were ready to reveal any form of cover-up.

After five weeks, the committee submitted a report that included important insights into why this tragedy happened, which led to the deaths of innocent people. The report also had recommendations that could improve the NSCDC and other security agencies if the government takes them seriously. The report is now public and we await the government’s next steps, but first, here’s some background.

I waited to see how people would react to our findings and recommendations. To my happiness, many people seemed satisfied with our work and expressed their thoughts through calls and messages. I was not surprised, given the quality and commitment of the members and the hard work we all put into this sensitive issue.

After our inauguration on September 22nd, we began working immediately. We created plans and timelines for our tasks. Every detail of the work was laid out. By the third day, we went to the NSCDC headquarters on Airport Road, where staff involved in the Minna incident were held. We met with the NSCDC Commandant-General and his team as a courtesy. Our questioning of the detained staff was done one-on-one, starting from the lowest-ranking officer. We gathered details about what happened on the 15th and the night of the 16th, leading to the discovery of the bodies of 33 young men on the morning of the 17th.

We then moved to Minna for a week of fact-finding. It was a busy week. We visited the emir’s palace, where we met many families of victims and survivors. The emir welcomed us and played a fatherly role to everyone who came to his palace. His words were encouraging and lifted our spirits.

Visiting the NSCDC command was also important. We toured the crime scene and the NSCDC office. We also visited mining sites around MI Wushishi Estate and met with the state commands of the Police and DSS. Our first stop was to see Governor Mohammed Bago, who assured us of his commitment to finding the truth and encouraged us to do the same. Our time in Minna opened our eyes to new things. We found an NSCDC officer who was implicated based on what those in detention said but seemed to be protected. His story fell apart when we presented solid evidence during our questioning. He was recommended for dismissal and prosecution along with five others.

Back in Abuja, we continued to question suspects. All suspects, including the former Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, came before us. The session ended with the Commandant-General appearing. Putting together our findings was tough, emotionally and physically. It involved many discussions and votes to reach conclusions. Our sessions were charged, but we maintained a democratic process without any outside influence.

After five exhausting weeks, the Minister of Interior and Nigerians welcomed our report with excitement, promising to act on it. We hope for justice for the families of the victims. I felt a lot of pride working with such dedicated members.

The committee members had reputations to protect and came with a strong desire to succeed. We all worked hard, and the report was finalized late the night before we presented it on October 27.

I am proud of our teamwork and commitment to seek justice for the victims of the Minna mining tragedy. These victims were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were poor and unemployed, and many were from IDP camps in Niger State.

I also appreciated working with dedicated professionals who approached this national task with determination. Our chairman, Mr. Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Directorate of State Services, provided calm leadership. He brought a wealth of experience and made everyone feel secure.

One of the committee members, Alhaji Idris Adamu Kuta, retired as a permanent secretary and knew the public service rules well. We didn’t know he had a background in the mines sector, but he represented the Minna Emirate Council and did well.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, represented Niger State on the committee. He showed the quality of people in Governor Bago’s cabinet. Despite his busy schedule, he participated in key discussions and decisions.

Liman Suleiman, from the Miners Association, also played a role. His calm nature hid his deep knowledge of the mining sector. Dr. George Agbakahi worked hard to ensure justice for the Minna 33. His passion helped us gather important information.

AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retd) was humble and focused on his role in our investigation. He helped us get vital information from suspects. Professor Mikhail Olayinka Buhari, a well-known histopathologist, did important work to confirm that 33 miners died, not 37. His efforts earned him praise from the chairman.

Deji Adeyanju, a human rights activist and lawyer, was the youngest member but very active. His skills were useful for questioning suspects and getting information.

I was impressed by the close cooperation between the committee chairman and secretary, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma. He is a law professor and former director-general of the Nigerian Law School. His skills in administration were evident, and he worked hard to prepare our documents. The partnership between him and the chairman was remarkable.