By Julius Peter, Abuja
A coalition of civil society organisations has commended the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for ordering a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations in Niger State.
The coalition, led by Stand Up Nigeria (SUN), said the decision by the NSCDC leadership to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths demonstrated a commitment to accountability, transparency and the protection of the rights and welfare of persons held in the custody of the Corps.
The development followed the deaths of suspected illegal miners arrested during coordinated operations conducted by the Niger State Command around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026.
The NSCDC subsequently confirmed that some of the suspects had died while in custody and constituted a high-powered investigative team, headed by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement on Friday, the National President of Stand Up Nigeria, Sunny Attah, said the decision to institute an investigation was an important step towards establishing the facts and determining what transpired before, during and after the arrests.
The coalition also commended the directive for the Niger State Commandant and other relevant officers to step aside and appear before the investigative panel, describing the measure as necessary to allow the inquiry to proceed without interference.
The NSCDC had earlier said that the investigation would examine several issues, including the condition of the suspects at the time of their arrest, the period they spent in custody, the conditions under which they were detained, the medical attention provided to them and other circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The Corps also disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to determine the actual cause of death.
The NSCDC cautioned against speculation concerning reports attributing the deaths to a particular disease, stressing that such claims could only be established through appropriate medical and laboratory examinations.
According to the civil society coalition, the public should therefore exercise restraint and allow the investigative, medical and forensic processes to be completed before drawing conclusions about the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The coalition urged Nigerians and the international community to await the findings of the investigation, stressing that conclusions on the matter should be based on verified evidence rather than speculation or unconfirmed reports.
It further said civil society organisations would continue to monitor developments and assess the findings when the investigative authorities make them available to the public.
The coalition called for a thorough, transparent and credible investigation, adding that anyone found to have violated the law or breached established professional standards should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The development has also attracted intervention from the Federal Government and the Niger State Government.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, directed the NSCDC Commandant General to ensure a full-scale, transparent and unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. In response, Audi directed the Niger State Commandant and relevant heads of departments, including Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation, to report to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja to face the panel of inquiry. A new commandant was also directed to assume command in Niger State pending the outcome of the investigation.
The NSCDC said personnel found to have acted contrary to the law, established procedures or professional standards would face appropriate administrative, disciplinary or, where applicable, criminal sanctions.
The Corps also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the dignity, safety and fundamental rights of persons in its custody, while maintaining that enforcement operations against illegal mining would continue within the framework of the law.
Separately, the Niger State Government has constituted its own committee of inquiry into the deaths. The committee is headed by the state’s Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, with the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, serving as secretary.
The state government has also indicated that forensic examinations and autopsies would be conducted to establish the exact cause of death and guide further action.
The multiple investigations followed growing concerns over the deaths and calls from various groups for the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention and fatalities to be properly established.
The civil society coalition maintained that the immediate priority should be to establish the facts through credible investigative and medical processes.
It urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could heighten tension or prejudice the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
The coalition also expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased and called for appropriate support and engagement with them as the investigations proceed.
It said the families deserved clear and credible answers regarding what happened to their relatives after their arrest and during their period in custody.
The NSCDC has similarly expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated and addressed on the basis of established facts.
The coalition said the credibility of the ongoing investigations would ultimately depend on the transparency of the process, proper documentation of evidence, independent medical findings and appropriate action based on whatever conclusions are reached.
It therefore appealed to all stakeholders, including government agencies, security institutions, civil society groups and members of the public, to allow the investigative bodies to complete their work.
The organisations stressed that the outcome of the investigation should provide a clear account of the events and, where wrongdoing is established, ensure that those responsible are dealt with according to the law.
