Civil society organisations in Nigeria have called for calm and restraint in the wake of the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The coalition, led by Stand Up Nigeria (SUN), expressed concern over conflicting accounts circulating on social media, which could heighten tension and prejudice the ongoing investigation.
The National President of SUN, Sunny Attah, made a statement urging Nigerians to rely on verified information until the circumstances surrounding the deaths are established. Attah called for an independent investigation, saying the circumstances surrounding the deaths should be established through forensic evidence. He urged social media users, political actors, activists, community leaders, and other civil society groups to exercise restraint pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The Federal Government has constituted an independent committee to investigate the incident. The committee is tasked with establishing the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances of their arrest and detention, and determining the cause and circumstances of their deaths. The coalition welcomed the reported suspension of NSCDC officials linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
Attah called on the committee to conduct its work independently and professionally, giving appropriate weight to forensic and medical evidence rather than allowing speculation and competing narratives to shape public understanding of the incident. He urged that anyone found culpable after due process should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The coalition expressed deep sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives, saying they deserve to know exactly what happened to their loved ones. Nigerians equally deserve a credible account of the circumstances surrounding these deaths. The coalition urged the Federal Government to publish the findings of the investigation and implement its recommendations where wrongdoing, negligence, or breaches of established procedures are established.
The investigation is expected to be thorough, transparent, and credible. The coalition said it would continue to monitor the investigation and advocate transparency, accountability, and respect for the rights of those affected.
The priority, according to Attah, should be to establish the facts, secure justice for the deceased and their families, and prevent a recurrence. He added that everyone should reject misinformation, refrain from drawing premature conclusions, and allow the investigation to run its full course.
Key points
- The Federal Government has ordered an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
- Civil society organisations have urged calm and restraint over the incident, warning against unverified reports.
- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has suspended some officials linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
