The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has condemned the death of 37 miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, describing the incident as a tragedy that demanded urgent action.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), CSP Ani Ineidu, on the IGP’s emergency working visit to Niger State on Friday.
According to the statement, IGP Disu appealed to residents of the state, especially the families of the deceased, to remain calm and law-abiding to allow for a thorough investigation, noting that violence would only compound the situation. He assured them that the investigation would be conducted in strict adherence to the rule of law, due process, transparency and respect for human rights, without any form of compromise.
The IGP called for close cooperation with the leadership of the NSCDC in the state and the committee constituted by the state government to investigate the circumstances that led to the loss of lives. He stressed that death in lawful custody was a grave matter that could not be treated lightly, ‘particularly as the circumstances surrounding these deaths are yet to be explained.’
While commiserating with the government and people of Niger State, IGP Disu assured the Governor and the people of the state that the Nigeria Police Force would leave no stone unturned in unravelling the cause of the incident.
Responding, Niger State Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, thanked the Inspector-General for his prompt intervention and condolence visit. He explained that the deceased, who were arrested a day earlier over suspected illegal mining, were found dead in NSCDC custody, adding that the incident had caused serious unrest in the state. He said all necessary measures were being put in place to ensure a seamless investigation, with forensic examinations and autopsies expected to help determine the cause of death, and pledged the full support of the state government to relevant security agencies in the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has also strongly condemned the deaths, describing the incident as a severe violation of human rights and a profound national embarrassment.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by his Campaign’s Chief Communications Adviser, Comrade Mark Adebayo, the SDP standard-bearer said the deaths demanded swift and uncompromising accountability, stressing that ‘custody implies protection, rehabilitation, and the preservation of legal rights, not a death sentence.’
Describing the incident as a catastrophic failure of custodial care, Prince Adebayo called for an immediate, independent and full-scale judicial investigation into the fatalities, warning that no civilized society should tolerate the systemic or negligent loss of lives of citizens held under state protection. He urged the Federal Government and relevant international human rights bodies to look into the matter immediately.
While appreciating the promptness with which the Minister of Interior ordered an investigation, Adebayo insisted that the probe must not be an internal or whitewashed affair by the security agencies involved, but should instead be led by an independent panel of inquiry to ensure total transparency and justice.
He further demanded the immediate suspension of all commanding officers directly responsible for the facilities where the deaths occurred, pending the outcome of the investigation, as well as a comprehensive autopsy and forensic audit conducted by independent medical experts to determine the exact cause of death for each of the 37 detainees. He also called for a complete overhaul and public audit of all detention protocols and facilities managed by the NSCDC and other paramilitary agencies to prevent future occurrences.
While expressing his condolences to the grieving families, Prince Adebayo assured Nigerians that the SDP remained committed to the rule of law, institutional accountability and the sacredness of human life, vowing to follow the matter until justice is served and those found culpable are prosecuted.