The Centre for Peace, Transparency and Accountability and other civil society organisations in Nigeria have called for restraint and due process in the ongoing investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The groups expressed support for a full investigation into the incident but warned against premature conclusions. They emphasised the need for objectivity and credible processes to establish the facts surrounding the deaths.
According to the groups, the deaths of persons in security custody constituted a serious matter that warranted answers. They sought clarification on the condition of the detainees at the time of arrest, their detention conditions, access to medical care, and the circumstances preceding their deaths. The groups stressed that the actual cause of death should be established through credible medical, forensic, and investigative processes rather than speculation or conflicting reports.
The NSCDC conducted enforcement operations on September 15 and 16, 2026, in Minna, targeting suspected illegal mining activities. The operations led to the arrest of suspected miners and the recovery of exhibits allegedly linked to the activities. A number of detainees were subsequently found dead in the early hours of September 17. The Niger State Command initially referred to a suspected disease outbreak, while the NSCDC National Headquarters stated that the cause of death had not been established.
The groups noted that different figures had circulated regarding the number of deceased. They called for the investigation to establish the verified number of deaths, the physical condition of those arrested, and the duration and conditions of their detention. The groups also sought to determine the medical attention provided to the detainees and the circumstances immediately preceding their deaths.
The Centre for Peace, Transparency and Accountability and other groups welcomed the institutional response to the incident, including the directive by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for a full-scale, transparent, and unhindered investigation. They also cited the decision by the NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to direct the Niger State Commandant to step aside and report to the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
The groups urged investigators to determine the actual medical and forensic cause of death and establish whether any personnel breached established procedures or the law. They emphasised the need for verified findings from the appropriate medical, forensic, and investigative authorities rather than allowing conflicting figures or speculation to define the narrative.
The investigation aims to provide clarity on the incident and ensure accountability. The groups' call for restraint and due process reflects their commitment to ensuring that the probe is conducted fairly and transparently. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees in security custody and the need for thorough investigations into such matters.
Key points
- Centre for Peace, Transparency and Accountability calls for due process in NSCDC custody deaths probe
- Investigation aims to establish verified number of deaths and circumstances surrounding them
- Groups welcome institutional response to incident, including directive for full-scale investigation
