Babangida Denies Ownership of Minna Mining Site, Calls for Probe Into Miners’ Deaths

Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has denied owning the mining site in Minna, Niger State, where 37 suspected illegal miners were arrested before their deaths in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Babangida, through his representatives, described reports linking him to the site as false and without foundation, and called for a thorough investigation into the deaths.

The controversy followed reports in which a survivor of the incident allegedly identified Babangida as the owner of the mining site and claimed that miners had been instructed to continue their activities despite directives to stop.

Babangida has rejected the allegation, saying he has no connection with the mining operation.

In a statement issued on his behalf, his representatives said the former military leader neither owns, leases nor possesses mineral rights, land or property connected to mining operations in Niger State or elsewhere in Nigeria. They also denied that he instructed anyone to continue mining activities at the site.

The statement further said Babangida has lived in Minna since his retirement in 1993 and described the reports linking him to the mining operation as unfounded.

Babangida also condemned the deaths of the miners, describing the incident as tragic and deeply disturbing. His position comes as pressure grows for authorities to establish exactly what happened to the miners after they were arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate area of Minna.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation, directing authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the conditions in which the detainees were held, the medical attention they received and the events that led to their deaths.

The Federal Government has subsequently constituted a 10-member investigative committee, while 21 NSCDC officers have reportedly been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. The National Human Rights Commission has also commenced a preliminary investigation and called for an independent forensic autopsy.

Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar has also called for an in-depth investigation into the deaths and urged authorities to strengthen safety measures at mining sites.

The deaths have triggered protests and unrest in Minna, with questions being raised about the treatment of the detainees and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Reuters reported that the initial explanation of a possible disease outbreak did not establish the actual cause of death, which remains subject to investigation.

The ownership of the mining site has also become part of the wider investigation, with civil society groups calling for authorities to establish who owned, financed or operated the site.

For now, Babangida’s alleged connection to the mining site remains a disputed claim. His representatives have categorically denied it, while the circumstances surrounding the miners’ deaths are still being investigated by government and human-rights authorities.