The Coalition of Civil Societies For Transparency and Accountability has condemned the call for the sack of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, over the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody. The group described the demand as misguided and distractive. This reaction follows a petition by lawyer and human rights activist, Hamza N. Dantani, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeking Audi's termination and an independent investigation.
According to the coalition, the suspects were arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna. The NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, stated that over 50 people were arrested and yet to be charged due to ongoing profiling and documentation before the deaths occurred. The coalition noted that the state commandant admitted to not informing his boss about the arrest of the alleged illegal miners, who are presumed innocent until evidence is presented.
The Federal Government has already suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and set up a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident, as directed by President Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The coalition expressed shock that instead of awaiting the investigation's outcome, Dantani and his associates chose to make public demands. This reaction was described as self-serving, selective, untimely, and mischievous by the National Coordinator of the Coalition, Comrade Bilal Galadima.
The coalition questioned Dantani's selective activism, citing instances of military actions resulting in civilian casualties. They asked where Dantani was when a military drone killed 85 civilians in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, or when 16 civilians were killed in airstrikes in Zamfara State. The group also referenced accidental killings in Sokoto and Borno and the #EndSARS protests, where they claimed Dantani failed to demand the dismissal of the then Inspector-General of Police.
The coalition called on Dantani and all Nigerians to allow the rule of law to take its full course and await the probe committee's outcome. They emphasized that the Federal Government has taken concrete steps to address the incident, including the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and the establishment of an independent investigation committee.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about accountability and the rule of law in Nigeria. While some have expressed concerns about the handling of the suspected illegal miners, others have emphasized the need for patience and due process. The coalition's statement reflects a broader concern about the politicization of such incidents and the potential for grandstanding.
Ultimately, the investigation committee's findings will be crucial in determining the facts surrounding the incident and any potential culpability. The coalition's call for restraint and due process underscores the importance of allowing the investigative process to unfold without interference or undue influence.
Key points
- The Coalition of Civil Societies For Transparency and Accountability has condemned the call for the sack of NSCDC Commandant-General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
- The Federal Government has set up an independent committee to investigate the incident.
- The coalition questioned the selective activism of the petitioner, Hamza N. Dantani.
