The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has arrived at the Niger State Government House in Minna over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state.

In a video posted by the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday, Mr Disu, who spoke at the Government House, condoled with the state governor over the tragic deaths of the 37 alleged illegal miners.

“I’m here this afternoon because of the tragic incident where we lost the lives of 37 citizens of Minna and of this great state.

“It’s a very tragic incident and we want to assure you, Your Excellency, that we leave no stone unturned to unravel the situation that leads to this death,” Mr Disu said.

He stated that the force would co-operate with the NSCDC and the state government, adding that they had set up a committee to assist in investigating the incident.

“Cases of death while in custody is a very serious one and falls under the confines of the Nigerian police force wherever it happens, most especially those that have 37 victims.

“Your Excellency, we want to condole you and condole all the good people of the state and at the same time we want to talk to them to be calm,” he said while condoling with Mr Bago.

He urged the bereaved families to remain calm and assured them that the force would not compromise in ensuring that the proper thing is done to unravel the cause of the incident.

“So I want to warn them not to take laws into their own hands. We are going to ensure that we patrol the towns and ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order,” he said.

This development came shortly after Mr Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, ordered the immediate suspension of the state commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye.