The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called for an immediate, open, and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians reportedly held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. The party described the deaths as disturbing and raised questions about the conditions under which the detainees were held.
According to the APM, claims by authorities that the deceased were suspected illegal miners and that some of them died following a suspected disease outbreak could not explain the scale of the fatalities. The party said reports that 66 detainees were held in the same cell, with 37 subsequently dying, required urgent investigation, particularly allegations concerning excessive heat and the reported use of an unidentified substance in the facility.
The APM expressed concern over the reported confrontation between security agencies and protesters demanding answers over the deaths. The party urged security agencies to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions or resulting in additional deaths. The APM maintained that the death of citizens in detention could not be justified under any circumstances and called for accountability where wrongdoing was established.
The party said the incident had further raised concerns about the treatment of suspects and detainees in government facilities, insisting that the rights and dignity of every citizen must be protected regardless of the allegations against them. The APM described the situation as unimaginable, with 66 persons cramped into a cell where 37 of them died of excessive heat and after being reportedly sprayed with a yet-to-be-identified substance.
The APM demanded an expeditious, open, transparent, and unrestricted investigation into the incident. The probe should establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees, the conditions in which they were held, the reported use of an unidentified substance, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of ammunition and tear gas against protesters.
The party also called for appropriate action against any individual or institution found culpable after the investigation. While commiserating with the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State, the party urged Nigerians to remain calm and allow the investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
Yusuf Abubakar, the National Publicity Secretary of the APM, made the demands in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. The party's demands come amid reports that the incident had sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Key points
- The Allied Peoples Movement demands an independent probe into the deaths of 37 Nigerians held in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State.
- The party raised concerns about the treatment of suspects and detainees in government facilities.
- The APM called for accountability and action against those found culpable after the investigation.
