Human rights lawyer demands independent probe into deaths of arrested miners in NSCDC custody
A human rights lawyer and activist, Hamza N. Dantani Esq, has called for an immediate independent investigation into the reported deaths of at least 37 suspected artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Dantani, in a statement released on Friday, also demanded the immediate suspension of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, pending the outcome of the investigation, stressing that the measure should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt but as an administrative step to safeguard the integrity of the probe.
According to him, the victims, some of whom were reportedly teenagers, were arrested on September 15 and 16, 2026, over allegations of illegal mining.
He said regardless of the allegations against them, the detainees remained innocent until proven guilty and were entitled to the protection of their lives, dignity and fundamental rights while in state custody.
Dantani expressed concern over the decision by the NSCDC to constitute an internal committee to investigate the deaths, arguing that an institution whose personnel could potentially be implicated should not be the sole body determining responsibility.
“An institution should not be allowed to investigate itself exclusively where its personnel may themselves be subjects of the investigation,” he said.
He called on the Niger State Government and the Federal Government to constitute an independent investigative panel comprising representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, National Human Rights Commission, independent forensic and medical experts, relevant justice authorities and representatives of the victims’ families.
Dantani said the investigation should determine the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of each victim, as well as the exact cause and manner of their deaths.
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He further urged investigators to examine the condition of the detention facilities and determine whether the detainees were subjected to torture, assault, excessive force or degrading treatment, and whether they received adequate medical attention.
The lawyer also called for scrutiny of the identities and roles of all officers involved, possible failures by officers to prevent or respond to the deaths, allegations of extortion, and any attempt to conceal, destroy or manipulate evidence.
He said the probe should also determine whether criminal, disciplinary or command responsibility arose from the incident.
Dantani stressed that the investigation should extend beyond officers physically present at the detention facility to examine the principle of command responsibility, including whether superior officers knew, or ought reasonably to have known, about any unlawful treatment, dangerous detention conditions, torture, extortion, neglect or other misconduct.
He said anyone found culpable should be prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law, irrespective of rank or position, if evidence establishes offences including unlawful killing, torture, assault, criminal negligence, extortion, intimidation or obstruction of justice.
“A person arrested for suspected illegal mining does not stop being human. A suspect is not a convict,” Dantani said.
“No allegation of illegal mining can justify torture, degrading treatment, unlawful deprivation of life, or any other violation of fundamental rights.”
He argued that the government could not effectively enforce the law by permitting violations of the law, insisting that the deaths should not be reduced to an internal administrative exercise.
“Their families deserve answers. The public deserves transparency. The victims deserve justice,” he said.
Dantani therefore demanded a full forensic examination, investigation of allegations of extortion and threats, protection for witnesses and victims’ families, suspension of the NSCDC Commandant-General pending the investigation, and prosecution of anyone found criminally responsible.
“Thirty-seven lives demand more than condolences. They demand truth, justice, and accountability,” he said.
By PRNigeria
