The denial follows a tragic incident where 37 suspected miners died while being held in a detention facility.
WorldStage— Former military Head of State, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has denied allegations linking him to an illegal gold-mining site in Niger State.
The controversy erupted after a survivor, Malam Babawo Tudun Nasera, publicly alleged that the gold mine where the suspects worked belonged to the former military ruler.
Nasera, who lost his 17-year-old brother in the incident, claimed the miners were directed to keep working by site management prior to their arrest by security forces.
Reacting to the reports through a spokesperson, Babangida described the allegations as false and distanced himself entirely from the ownership or operations of the mining site.
He expressed deep distress over the mass fatalities, calling the incident “tragic and deeply disturbing.”
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and urged local youths and residents to remain calm while the law takes its course.
The 37 victims were among scores of individuals arrested during a government-backed crackdown targeting unauthorized mining operations near Borgu.
According to official reports, the suspects were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for three days without formal charges while profiling was underway.
Controversy continues to cloud the exact cause of death. While the NSCDC initially attributed the fatalities to a sudden disease outbreak, intelligence assessments and accounts from survivors paint a far grimmer picture.
Surviving detainees reported that up to 66 people were packed into a single, tiny cell.
They detailed severe dehydration, extreme heat, and an absolute lack of ventilation, which led many to suffocate or collapse after their pleas to open the cell doors were ignored.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage in the state capital, Minna. Relatives and community members staged protests, leading to clashes with police and attacks on public property.
In response, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced a temporary suspension of all mining activities and set up a committee of inquiry.
Babangida welcomed the state government’s decision to conduct forensic and medical examinations, expressing hope that a transparent investigation will provide definitive answers to the grieving families.
