Mining must not become a death license

The deaths of alleged illegal miners detained by the government in Minna, Niger State, and the latest mine collapse in Taraba State are stark reminders of Nigeria’s unresolved mining crisis. In Minna, 33 people died while in state custody; in Taraba, 20 miners were buried underground in a dangerous pit. Both tragedies require accountability.

Minna’s death is particularly disturbing because the circumstances remain controversial. The NSCDC and government officials cite illness and a possible epidemic, while survivors and witnesses report overcrowding, poor ventilation and other appalling conditions at the detention facility. Only an independent, credible and transparent investigation can resolve these conflicting accounts.

President Bola Tinubu expressed outrage and ordered a thorough investigation, and the Niger state government acknowledged the deaths and began efforts to establish what happened. The public should be patient and let investigations establish the truth. But there must be no cover-ups. Anyone found guilty on the basis of credible evidence must be prosecuted, regardless of their status or position.

Credibility matters here. An investigation conducted only by agencies whose conduct is in question will struggle to win public trust. A judicial commission or the National Human Rights Commission, in collaboration with independent medical experts, should establish the cause of each death and its findings should be published within a defined period of time.

The incident is also part of a worrying series of deadly incidents involving official operations in northern Nigeria, including military airstrikes that have killed innocent civilians. Whether it is a detention center or a military operation, the principle is the same: security agencies must act professionally and be accountable for the lives entrusted to their care.

The pit collapse in Mayo Kam, Bali Local Government Area of ​​Taraba State, which killed another group of illegal miners, once again highlights the dangers of unregulated mining and inadequate safety measures. It also carries a historical echo. In November 2024, the wider Gashaka-Gumti axis, which stretches across Taraba and Adamawa states, witnessed a deadly collapse in which around 22 miners were feared trapped or killed. The fact that such disasters continue to recur suggests that previous warnings have not resulted in effective prevention. This cannot continue.

Nigeria needs a comprehensive mining policy that robustly addresses illegal mining while offering a clear and safe framework for legitimate, artisanal and small-scale miners. This means simpler licensing, so small operators have a real incentive to work within the law, along with mandatory safety standards and trained inspectors visiting sites regularly. Licensing, on-site inspections, environmental safeguards and safety regulations must be applied without fear or favor.

Allegations also persist that high-ranking individuals and government officials sometimes connive with unscrupulous operators to facilitate illegal mining. These statements should neither be accepted as fact nor rejected out of hand; where credible evidence exists, it must be investigated.

Both Minna and Taraba’s deaths must be thoroughly investigated, with a simple goal: to establish the truth, hold those responsible to account and prevent them from happening again. Nigeria’s mineral wealth should drive national development and not cause avoidable deaths. Mining must never become a death license.