By Ayodele Oni
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Retd), has denied the ownership of a gold mining site in Niger State linked to the death of 37 persons in NSCDC custody.
In an official press statement from his media office on Saturday, Babangida described reports alleging that the mining site belongs to him as “completely false, baseless, and defamatory.”
The statement signed by Dr. David Adeniran, on behalf of General Babangida, said the publication initially carried by online media platforms was an egregious act of blackmail and severe misrepresentation of facts.
“The attention of the Media Office of former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Retd.), GCFR, has been drawn to a completely false, baseless, and defamatory publication initially carried out by online media platforms, alleging that a goldmining site in Niger State belongs to him.
“We categorically reject this publication in its entirety. It is an egregious act of blackmail and a severe misrepresentation of facts. We wish to set the record straight for the benefit of the general public, domestic and international media houses, and relevant authorities:
” Zero Ownership or Acquisition: General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida does not own, lease, or possess any mineral rights, properties, or lands related to mining operations anywhere in Niger State or across Nigeria.
“A Lifetime Disconnection from Mining: General Babangida has never acquired, sought to acquire, or operated any land for mining purposes in his entire life. Any claim stating otherwise is an absolute fabrication.
“No Commands or Authorizations Issued: The malicious claim by a purported survivor stating that General Babangida instructed workers to ignore local directives and continue mining operations is completely unfounded.
“Having lived peacefully and lawfully as a statesman in Minna since his retirement in 1993, General Babangida has never had any connection whatsoever with these informal or illegal mining activities.
“General Babangida deeply condemns the tragic and unfortunate deaths of the 37 individuals while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“He sends his deepest condolences to the affected families and the people of Niger State.
“Far from obstructing or evading administrative processes, General Babangida is fully cooperating with and completely supports the transparent, independent committee of inquiry and forensic examinations initiated by the Niger State Government and the Federal Ministry of Interior to determine the true cause of this custodial tragedy.
“He urges the youth and residents of Niger State to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding while allowing the investigating bodies to conclude their work.
“The publication of an unverified, reckless, and highly sensationalised claim by media houses constitutes a severe infraction of professional
journalistic ethics and a direct assault on the character of General Babangida.
“TAKE NOTICE that the legal team of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has been fully briefed and is actively monitoring all prints, broadcasts, and digital reportage of this defamatory falsehood.
“Immediate civil and criminal legal remedies will be aggressively pursued against any individual, blog, or mainstream media platform that continues to circulate, amplify, or republish these unverified, malicious, and damaging lies.
“The public is strongly urged to disregard this malicious disinformation campaign in its entirety.”
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