Lawyers’ body calls for credible investigation as authorities launch multiple probes
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The deaths occurred after the suspects were arrested during enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities in the Minna area.
The call comes amid growing scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the conditions in which the detainees were held.
NBA seeks answers over deaths in custody
The NBA said an independent investigation was necessary to establish what happened to the detainees and determine whether any individual or institution bears responsibility.
The association’s demand follows separate investigations already announced by security and government authorities.
The Nigeria Police Force began investigating the deaths shortly after the NSCDC confirmed that some detainees had died at its facility.
The NSCDC initially said the actual cause of death had not been conclusively established and that medical examinations would be conducted.
Multiple investigations underway
The Federal Government has since constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident and suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the probe.
The Niger State Government has also constituted a committee of inquiry, while other security institutions have launched separate investigations.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) have similarly called for a transparent investigation.
The NHRC has specifically called for an independent forensic autopsy and preservation of evidence in accordance with international standards for investigating potentially unlawful deaths in custody.
Questions surrounding detention
The deaths have raised questions about the circumstances of the arrests, the identities and ages of the detainees, the conditions in which they were held and what happened before they died.
Premium Times reported that relatives of some detainees disputed the claim that all those arrested were illegal miners, while some relatives alleged that young people and women were among those detained. Those claims had not been independently verified at the time of the report.
The NSCDC, meanwhile, said the arrests followed enforcement operations targeting suspected illegal mining around M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto village.
Calls for accountability
The NBA’s intervention adds to mounting calls for accountability and transparency.
Human-rights advocates have stressed that determining the cause of death through credible forensic and medical procedures will be essential to any assessment of responsibility.
The investigation must distinguish between established facts, medical findings and allegations made by relatives or survivors.
For the families of the deceased, the central questions remain how their relatives died, why they died in custody and whether any preventable circumstances contributed to the deaths.
The outcome of the various investigations is expected to determine whether disciplinary, administrative or criminal action is warranted.