The North-Central Indigenous Youth Council has expressed outrage over the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State. The youths, under the aegis of the Council, described the incident as barbaric, inhuman, and unacceptable. This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. JM Abbah, and made available to journalists in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
According to the Council, the incident points to gross negligence, unprofessionalism, overcrowding, and disregard for human rights and custodial standards. The youths were arrested during operations against illegal mining in Niger on September 15 and 16. The Council received the news with shock and outrage, describing the initial claim of a "suspected disease outbreak" as insensitive and an attempt to cover up institutional failure.
The North-Central Indigenous Youth Council demanded a transparent, independent forensic autopsy and the prosecution of all officers found culpable. The Council commended the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, for his proactive response to the tragedy, including confirming the incident, setting up an independent State Government Committee of Inquiry, and ordering full forensic examinations and autopsies.
Governor Bago also declared a three-day mourning period and cancelled the All Progressives Congress political rally earlier scheduled for Saturday, September 19 in Minna. He liaised with federal security agencies, including the NSCDC, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Department of State Services, to ensure parallel investigations. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and his team.
The Minister of Interior assured Nigerians of a transparent investigation. The North-Central Indigenous Youth Council urged the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, to treat illegal mining as a national security and economic emergency. The Council advocated for the deployment of a Joint Mining Protection Task Force to mining sites and the formalization of artisanal miners into licensed cooperatives.
The Council also called for the establishment of a digital mining surveillance system and biometric database, mandatory safety audits of detention facilities used for mining-related arrests, and stiffer penalties for sponsors and buyers of illegal mining. Following several protests, the Council called for calm among youths in Minna and the North-Central zone, while praying for the repose of the victims' souls.
The North-Central Indigenous Youth Council insisted that the final autopsy report must be made public and that justice must be served in the matter. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians demanding accountability and action against those responsible. The Council's demands and the government's response will be crucial in determining the next steps in this tragic incident.
Key points
- The North-Central Indigenous Youth Council condemned the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody, calling it barbaric and inhuman.
- The Council demanded a transparent, independent forensic autopsy and the prosecution of all officers found culpable.
- The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, was commended for his proactive response to the tragedy, including setting up an independent inquiry and ordering forensic examinations.
