Former military president General Ibrahim Babangida has denied ownership of the gold mining sites where 37 artisan gold miners were arrested and later died. The clarification followed an online publication alleging that the site belonged to him. A statement signed by Dr. David Adeniran of his media office said Babangida does not own, lease, or possess any mineral rights, properties, or lands related to mining operations anywhere in Niger State or across Nigeria. The statement added that Babangida has never acquired or sought to acquire or operated any land for mining purposes in his entire life, calling any claim otherwise an absolute fabrication. It also described as completely unfounded a claim by a purported survivor that Babangida instructed workers to ignore local directives and continue mining operations.
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