Niger deaths: Mining official accuses suspended NSCDC commandant and commissioner of illegal operations

Henry Temidayo Bolawale, North Central Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, accused suspended Niger State NSCDC Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye and Mineral Resources Commissioner Mohammed Qasim Danjuma of conducting unauthorised mining operations. Testifying before an inquiry into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody, he said Mining Marshals continued arrests and seizures despite directives from Minister Dele Alake to withdraw from mining-site enforcement. Bolawale cited operations around M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto and the arrest of a Chinese national with a valid mining licence, whose minerals were allegedly seized. He said his office was not notified of the operations and that seized minerals were not accounted for to the proper authorities.