Civil society organisations and human rights lawyer Femi Falana have demanded a thorough investigation into the deaths of 37 persons in NSCDC custody in Niger State. The groups, including the Youth Arise Movement, Women in Mining Nigeria, and Avocats Sans Frontières France, urged the Federal Government to launch an independent investigation into the deaths. They want authorities to establish what caused the deaths and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The Youth Arise Movement said the deaths raised questions about the arrests and detention conditions. It also questioned the medical and welfare arrangements for the detainees. The group called for independent authorities, including the Department of State Services, to take part in the investigation. This call for an investigation comes after the NSCDC arrested more than 50 persons during operations on September 15 and 16.
Women in Mining Nigeria also called for reforms across detention facilities, citing reports of overcrowding, extreme heat, dehydration, and poor ventilation. The group expressed concern over the conditions in which the detainees were kept. Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the Attorney-General of Niger State, Nasiru Mu’azu, to ensure a thorough investigation and prosecution of any official found culpable.
Avocats Sans Frontières France made a similar call for an independent investigation, expressing concern over reports of overcrowding and inadequate ventilation. The group also raised concerns about delayed access to medical assistance at the facility. The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but survivors gave a different account, alleging that detainees stayed in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell.
The Coalition of Civil Societies for Transparency and Accountability said investigators should complete their work before anyone holds the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, responsible. The coalition claimed that Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, did not inform the Commandant-General about the arrests before the deaths occurred. The Federal Government has since suspended Aniviye and set up a 10-member committee to investigate the deaths.
The police have also opened an investigation into the incident. The Niger State NSCDC command initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but survivors reportedly gave a different account. They alleged that detainees stayed in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell, creating conflicting accounts about the circumstances of the deaths.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for accountability and reforms in detention facilities. The Federal Government's suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and the setting up of a committee to investigate the deaths are seen as steps in the right direction. However, civil society groups and human rights lawyers are insisting on a thorough and independent investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
Key points
- The Federal Government has set up a 10-member committee to investigate the deaths of 37 NSCDC detainees in Niger State.
- Civil society groups and human rights lawyer Femi Falana have demanded a thorough investigation into the deaths.
- The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for accountability and reforms in detention facilities.
