The Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) has commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for constituting an independent investigative committee into the deaths of 37 artisanal miners who were reportedly in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The union, however, called for the expansion of the 10-member committee to include representatives of organised labour, the Niger State Government, traditional institutions, affected communities, medical professionals and civil society organisations.
In a statement issued by Comr. Hamza Muhammad, national president of the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, on behalf of the National Administrative Council (NAC) and National Executive Council (NEC), the NUMW also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing a transparent investigation into the incident.
The union described the minister’s decision to suspend the Niger State Commandant and 20 officers allegedly involved in the incident as an indication of the government’s seriousness.
“We especially commend the Minister for suspending the Niger State Commandant and 20 officers involved. This shows seriousness and that the government does not support cover-up,” the statement said.
However, NUMW said the composition of the committee had “critical gaps” that should be addressed if the investigation was to command the confidence of workers and affected communities.
According to the union, the committee, as currently constituted, does not include the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the NUMW Niger State Council, medical experts from the state, traditional rulers, youth and community leaders, or civil society representatives.
The union also questioned the inclusion of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), arguing that the association represents mine owners rather than the workers who died.
“The inclusion of Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) is for mine owners, not mine workers. The deceased were workers, members of NUMW,” the statement said.
NUMW urged the Minister of Interior to expand the committee to ensure wider representation across labour, government, traditional institutions, affected communities, the medical profession and civil society.
Under its proposed labour representation, the union called for the inclusion of representatives of the NLC, the NUMW National President, the NLC Niger State Council and the NUMW Niger State Council.
It also requested representatives of the Niger State Ministries of Solid Minerals and Health.
For traditional and community representation, NUMW proposed representatives of the Etsu Nupe, Chairman of the Niger State Council of
Traditional Rulers, as well as the Emir of Minna, Emir of Kagara and Sarkin Munya. It further requested the inclusion of two youth leaders from Shiroro, Bosso and Chanchaga, where it said the victims came from.
The union also proposed the inclusion of the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Niger State Chapter, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, and a reputable human rights organisation or NGO from Niger State.
NUMW further requested that Prof. Olayinka Buhari, who it said should support the investigation, be joined by a Niger State-based pathologist familiar with the local context.
‘Justice must be seen to be done’
The union stressed that its demand was not a rejection of the investigative committee but a call for a more inclusive process.
“Our position: We are not rejecting the committee. We are commending the Minister and asking him to make it more inclusive, balanced and acceptable to all,” NUMW said.
The union added that “justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done by the people of Shiroro, Munya and Niger State.”
NUMW said it would cooperate fully with the committee and disclosed that it had directed its Niger State Council to compile the names of the deceased workers and prepare a memorandum for submission to the investigative panel.
The union also appealed to its members to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting what it described as an expanded and inclusive investigation.
