Human Rights Advocate Demands Probe Ino 37 Deaths In NSCDC Custody

Pro-Democracy and Human Rights Advocate, Austin Aigbe, has called for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected artisanal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

Aigbe, in a statement on Saturday, described the deaths as a “national human rights disaster” and urged authorities not to allow the incident to be swept under the carpet.

The 37 men were reportedly arrested around the Wushishi-Lukoto axis over alleged illegal mining and died in NSCDC custody on September 17.

Aigbe said the state had a duty to protect the lives and dignity of people in its custody, regardless of the allegations against them.

He said, “These young men, arrested in the Wushishi-Lukoto axis for alleged illegal mining, were in the lawful custody of the Nigerian state. The state therefore owed them the absolute duty of care, protection of their dignity, and preservation of their lives.”

The rights advocate also questioned the initial explanation that the deaths were caused by a “disease outbreak”, describing the account as insensitive and lacking credibility.

He said reports and testimonies from families alleging suffocation, overcrowding and poor ventilation in the detention cells raised serious concerns about possible torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

“No Nigerian, however poor, however alleged to have committed an offence, deserves to die in a detention cell,” he said.

Aigbe called for an independent investigation involving the National Human Rights Commission, Nigerian Bar Association, medical experts and credible civil society organisations.

He also demanded that autopsy reports be made public, while urging authorities to prosecute any officers found culpable.

“The suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC is not enough. All officers who were on duty at the detention facility on that day must be held accountable and prosecuted if found culpable,” he said.

He further called for the identification and compensation of the families of the deceased, psychosocial support for them, and immediate release or arraignment of the remaining detainees.

Aigbe also urged the Federal Government to conduct an audit of NSCDC and police detention facilities nationwide, saying the incident had exposed broader concerns about detention conditions.

He said the deaths could further undermine public confidence in state institutions, adding that “when citizens die in custody and the state cannot explain why, democracy itself is at risk.”