N’Central youths condemn death of 37 miners in NSCDC custody

Youths from the North Central geo-political zone of the country, under the aegis of the North-Central Indigenous Youth Council, have condemned the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State, describing it as barbaric, inhuman and unacceptable.

This was contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr JM Abbah, and made available to Journalists in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Sunday.

The PUNCH reported that 37 suspected illegal miners died while in NSCDC custody in Minna after they were arrested during operations against illegal mining in Niger on September 15 and 16.

According to the statement, the Council received the news with shock and outrage.

Abbah said, “The incident points to gross negligence, unprofessionalism, overcrowding and disregard for human rights and custodial standards.”

The NCIYC described the initial claim of a “suspected disease outbreak” as insensitive and an attempt to cover up institutional failure.

The Council, therefore, demanded a transparent, independent forensic autopsy and the prosecution of all officers found culpable.

Meanwhile, it commended the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, for his proactive response to the tragedy.

The Council listed the governor’s actions to include confirming the incident, setting up an independent State Government Committee of Inquiry, ordering full forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the true cause of death, and declaring a three-day mourning period.

It further commended the Governor for cancelling the All Progressives Congress political rally earlier scheduled for Saturday, September 19 in Minna, and liaising with federal security agencies including the NSCDC, the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services to ensure parallel investigations.

“We also want to thank the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for ordering the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye and his team, and for assuring Nigerians of a transparent investigation.

“We want to urge the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, to henceforth treat illegal mining as a national security and economic emergency,” Abbah added.

The North-Central Indigenous Youth Council further advocated for the deployment of a Joint Mining Protection Task Force to mining sites, and formalisation of artisanal miners into licensed cooperatives.

“We call for the establishment of a digital mining surveillance system and biometric database, mandatory safety audits of detention facilities used for mining-related arrests, and stiffer penalties for sponsors and buyers of illegal mining,” the statement added.

Following several protests since the sad incident occurred, the Council called for calm among youths in Minna and the North-Central zone, while praying for the repose of the victims’ souls.

It further insisted that the final autopsy report must be made public, adding that justice must also be served in the matter.