By Ogochukwu Isioma
Former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd.), has denied reports linking him to a gold-mining site in Niger State, describing the publication as false, defamatory and a misrepresentation of facts.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Office in Minna, Niger State, Babangida said he neither owns, leases nor possesses any mineral rights, property or land connected to mining operations in Niger State or anywhere else in Nigeria.
The former military President also denied claims that he instructed workers at the alleged mining site to disregard local directives and continue mining operations, saying he had never acquired, sought to acquire or operated any land for mining purposes.
The statement came amid reports concerning the deaths of 37 individuals while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Babangida expressed condolences to the affected families and said he supports the independent investigation and forensic examinations initiated by the Niger State Government and the Federal Ministry of Interior to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to the statement signed by Dr. David Adeniran, on behalf of the former military president, Babangida has fully cooperated with the relevant authorities and urged residents and youths in Niger State to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation continues.
The former military President’s Media Office also warned media organisations and individuals against circulating what it described as unverified and defamatory claims linking him to the mining operation.
It said Babangida’s legal team had been briefed and was monitoring print, broadcast and digital reports concerning the allegation.
The statement warned that civil and criminal legal remedies would be pursued against individuals, blogs and mainstream media organisations that continued to circulate or republish what it described as the defamatory claims.
The Media Office urged the public to disregard what it called a “malicious disinformation campaign”.
FULL STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT FROM
THE MEDIA OFFICE OF GENERAL
IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA
(RTD.), GCFR
MINNA, NIGER STATE
—
SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 — The
attention of the Media Office of
former military President, General
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida
(Rtd.), GCFR, has been drawn to
a completely false, baseless, and
defamatory publication initially
carried out by online media
platforms, alleging that a gold-
mining 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.Full Cooperation with State and
Federal Authorities
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.Strict Legal Warning to All
Media Outlets
The publication of an unverified,
reckless, and highly
sensationalized 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.Signed:
Dr. David Adeniran
For: General Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida, GCFR
