By Olukayode Babalola
Alhaji Abdullahi Dantasidi, National President of the National Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Cooperative Society (NASSMCS) has expressed deep sorrow over the recent death of 37 miners in Niger state.
Dantasidi made this known in an interview with newsmen in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on September 15 and 16 2026, mining marshals of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger state raided mining sites in Wushishi-Lukoto area, west of Minna the state capital and arrested scores of alleged illegal miners.
However, early morning of September 17, 37 of them were found dead inside an overcrowded NSCDC detention cell in Minna.
Speaking on the development, Dantasidi described the development as painful and unfortunate, adding that the loss of the miners is not just a big blow to their respective families, but also to the mining sector and Nigeria at large.
“I am deeply shocked, saddened and depressed over this incident. These are young men who would have contributed immensely to the growth of the mining sector and the development of Nigeria but now they are no more,” he said.
He said the alleged manner in which the miners died in the custody of NSCDC calls for concern, thorough investigation and the need for government to put in place measures to prioritize the security, welfare and interests of miners in the country because according to him, they contribute immensely to the growth of the mining sector in the country.
“We in the artisanal mining community are deeply concerned in the way our members are often treated and we want that to change because without artisanal miners no one will benefit from the mining sector.
“However you want to tag this group we are not illegal but artisanal miners and go a long way in helping the government achieve it’s goals in the mining sector in this country.
“Artisanal miners are the first explorers in the mining sector. We are independent, hardworking and have sacrificed our lives, leaving behind loved ones to go into the bushes across the country to help explore and reveal where the mineral resources of this country can be found.
“So for artisanal miners to be branded as illegal and dumped in a small cell like criminals and allowed to die in large numbers is unfortunate. What government can do is collaborate with this group to achieve mutual benefits,” he said.
He also called on the federal government to put in place incentives that will help maximize the productivity and output of artisanal miners given the pivotal role the group plays in the mining sector.
“Aside that I want to use this opportunity to call on President Bola Tinubu to focus more on the mining sector because of its potential in helping to reduce poverty in Nigeria to a large extent,” he said.
Dantasidi who is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dantasidi Group— a mining and investment group that bridges Asian and African mining businesses, with interests in mineral processing commiserated with Governor Umaru Bago of Niger state and the families of the deceased.
He also charged the Nigeria Police Force to investigate thoroughly how the unfortunate incident unfounded and bring to justice all those found culpable of the crime. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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