By Mahmoud
A concerned citizen, A.A. Ndagana, has called for justice for the young people who reportedly died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, while urging the public to distinguish between the actions of security agencies and directives personally issued by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
Ndagana, in a statement, said Governor Bago was not responsible for ordering the arrest of the miners, stressing that the NSCDC carried out the operation independently.
According to him, Bago was not in the state when the operation took place and had only returned to meet what he described as a tragic situation.
He, however, acknowledged that as governor and leader of the state, Bago would naturally face questions over the incident and bear the broader political responsibility associated with the administration.
Ndagana said this should not, however, be interpreted as evidence that the governor personally ordered the arrest or detention of the victims, urging the public to separate established facts from assumptions.
His major concern, he said, was justice for the victims, stressing that the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be thoroughly investigated and that the matter should not be allowed to disappear from public attention.
Ndagana referred to reports alleging that a chemical was sprayed into the cell where the detainees were held, after which about 37 people reportedly died. He stressed the need for the circumstances surrounding the deaths to be established through a credible investigation.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for strength for their families, saying the victims deserved justice and that the tragedy should not simply end with official reports or paperwork.
Ndagana also appealed for prayers for Governor Bago, saying the governor had been under significant emotional pressure since the incident. “Bago has suffered these days. Bago can’t sleep. Bago is mentally and emotionally drained. Bago is confused. Bago is now humble,” he said, while praying that God would bring justice to the victims and guide the governor.
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