Group demands probe into deaths of 37 miners in Niger

The League of Northern Democrats has demanded a transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.

The group, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ladan Salihu, dated Saturday, September 19, said the victims were arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining in the Wushishi-Lukoto areas on September 15 and 16 and found dead on September 17.

The LND said that while the NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, survivor accounts and an intelligence report cited by AFP had raised concerns about overcrowding and inadequate ventilation.

“These accounts must be investigated rigorously rather than treated as either established fact or dismissed without examination,” the group said.

Salihu said allegations of illegal mining could not justify the loss of lives in government custody, stressing that every detainee was entitled to humane treatment and due process.

“Whatever the allegations against the detainees, no accusation of illegal mining can justify the loss of life in government custody. Arrest and detention are not a death sentence,” the statement said.

“Every person in state custody is entitled to life, dignity, humane treatment and due process,” it added.

The LND commended the Federal Government for ordering a comprehensive investigation, constituting a 10-member independent committee and suspending officers connected with the incident pending the outcome of the inquiry.

• Group backs probe into 37 miners’ deaths in Niger
• Fire service saves N20m property in Gombe fire
• Niger tragedy: CSOs demand site owner’s identity

However, they urged the government to ensure that the probe was not reduced to a mere administrative exercise, saying, “It must establish the truth, determine responsibility and deliver justice.”

The group called for an independent and unhindered investigation into what happened from the victims’ arrest through detention, treatment and death, including whether overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, medical negligence, abuse or misconduct contributed to the fatalities.

It also demanded the preservation of relevant evidence, including arrest and detention records, medical records, available CCTV footage, duty rosters and official communications, as well as proper identification of the victims and disclosure of the circumstances of their deaths to their families.

The LND further called for the prosecution of anyone found responsible for unlawful, negligent or abusive conduct, regardless of rank, and urged a review of detention facilities and procedures across security agencies to prevent avoidable deaths in custody.

It said the incident should also prompt action on poverty, unemployment, child labour and inadequate education, which it identified as factors driving young Nigerians into dangerous informal mining, adding, “The fight against criminality must never become a licence for abuse.”

The group appealed to citizens to remain peaceful while the investigation and judicial processes proceed.

“The lives of these 37 Nigerians must not become another statistic. The truth must be established. Responsibility must be determined. Justice must be served. Government custody must mean protection, not peril,” the statement added.