The Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) has called for a full-scale investigation and independent forensic autopsies into the deaths of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. The group described the incident as a grave tragedy and an alleged violation of the state's duty to protect its citizens. AOIYEO's executive director, Commandant Isaac David, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.
The incident occurred on September 15 and 16, when 37 persons were arrested during operations around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis and subsequently found dead in NSCDC custody in the early hours of September 17. The Niger State government confirmed the deaths, which sparked public anger and protests in Minna. The federal government responded by suspending the Niger State NSCDC commandant and 20 officers.
AOIYEO's demand for an investigation and prosecution is driven by concerns about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Commandant David stated that the suspension of the officers should only mark the beginning of a process that establishes what happened and identifies individual responsibility. He emphasized that 37 Nigerians entered the custody alive and left as corpses, which should shock the conscience of every Nigerian.
The group is calling for independent forensic autopsies on all the deceased, citing the need for medical evidence to establish the actual cause and circumstances of death. AOIYEO also demands proper identification of the deceased, medical records, detention records, statements from officers and detainees, and every available piece of evidence. This, they believe, will help establish the truth and identify those responsible.
AOIYEO warned that the investigation must not become an exercise designed merely to apportion administrative sanctions. Commandant David stressed that suspension is not justice and that investigation is not justice by itself. Justice, he said, comes when the truth is established, responsibility is identified, and those responsible face the full weight of the law.
The incident has significant implications for the FCT indigenous people, given the longstanding ancestral and historical ties between communities in Abuja and Niger State. The group believes that anyone found to have caused, facilitated, or negligently contributed to the deaths should face prosecution, irrespective of rank or position.
The federal government has constituted an independent investigative panel to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. AOIYEO's demands are aimed at ensuring that the investigation is thorough and that those responsible are held accountable. The panel's findings and recommendations are expected to shed more light on the incident and provide a measure of justice for the victims and their families.
Key points
- AOIYEO demands independent forensic autopsies and prosecution of those responsible for the 37 deaths in NSCDC custody.
- The incident has sparked public anger and protests in Minna, and the federal government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and 20 officers.
- The investigation must establish individual responsibility and identify those who caused, facilitated, or negligently contributed to the deaths.
