Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have called for a thorough investigation and justice for the 37 miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The groups, including the Youth Arise Movement, Women in Mining Nigeria, and the Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities, expressed concerns over the circumstances surrounding the deaths. They urged the government to establish an independent investigative mechanism to determine what happened.
The incident has sparked a heated debate, with some stakeholders calling for the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, and the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, to be held responsible. A Yoruba group, Yoruba Ronu, urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend Alake, accusing him of presiding over a system that allegedly placed detainees' lives at risk. However, the Coalition of Civil Societies for Transparency and Accountability rejected calls to remove Audi, saying it would be premature to hold him responsible without completing the investigation.
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State disclosed that those in NSCDC detention were not all miners. He spoke at a three-day prayer for the repose of the souls of the 37 miners at Tunga Central Mosque. Bago's comments came as Niger State gubernatorial candidate, Mohammed Kpautagi, called on state governors to stop frequenting Abuja for political reasons and concentrate on serving their people. Kpautagi described the tragic incident as an avoidable loss, citing gross negligence and failure of duty.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana called on the Attorneys-General of Niger and Ondo states to ensure the prosecution of suspects linked to separate incidents that led to the deaths of scores of Nigerians in custody. Avocats Sans Frontières France also demanded an independent investigation into the deaths, citing reports of severe overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, and delayed access to assistance at the facility. The groups expressed concerns over the conditions in which the detainees were held.
The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and set up a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The committee's findings will determine responsibility and appropriate sanctions. The Coalition of Civil Societies for Transparency and Accountability urged Nigerians and government agencies to allow the investigations to run their course.
The incident has produced conflicting accounts of what happened inside the detention facility. The Niger State NSCDC command initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while survivors alleged that detainees were packed into an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell. Yoruba Ronu questioned the reported conditions in which the detainees were held, describing the alleged use of poorly ventilated accommodation as unacceptable.
Women's groups, including Women in Mining Nigeria, have expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and called for reforms of detention facilities nationwide. They also urged the government to move away from aggressive militarisation towards a human-centred approach to artisanal mining. The groups demand accountability and justice for the victims and their families.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has set up a 10-member committee to investigate the deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody.
- Civil Society Organisations are calling for an independent investigation into the incident.
- The incident has sparked a debate over the conditions in detention facilities and the approach to artisanal mining.
