FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Abubakar, in a statement on Friday, September 18, said the deaths were disturbing, noting that the victims remained entitled to protection of their lives and dignity regardless of the allegations against them.
The incident occurred after NSCDC operatives arrested suspected illegal miners at mining sites around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna between September 15 and 16, 2026.
The ICIR reported that 37 of those arrested, comprising minors and other young people, were later confirmed dead while in the custody of the NSCDC.
The deaths have generated outrage and calls for authorities to establish what happened to the detainees, particularly the circumstances under which several people died while being held by a government security agency within hours.
The Niger State Command of the NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak.
However, concerns trailed the explanation, as many questioned the condition of the detainees before and during their detention, the medical attention available to them and what happened when they allegedly began falling ill.
A survivor, Dauda Shehu, reportedly told the Associated Press that about 65 detainees were held in a poorly ventilated cell. He alleged that the detainees struggled to breathe and scrambled for fresh air before many of them died.
The NSCDC headquarters subsequently constituted an investigative team to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The team, led by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, was directed to examine the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, how long they remained in custody, the conditions of the detention facility and the medical attention provided to them.
It was also asked to examine events immediately preceding the deaths.
The Niger State Government also constituted a committee of inquiry and ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the cause of death.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the death of 37 people in NSCDC custody and declared three days of mourning for the victims.
The deaths also triggered protests in parts of the state, with residents and relatives of some of the victims demanding answers over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following the tragedy, the Federal Government suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, under whose watch the operation was carried out.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered Aniviye’s immediate suspension and directed a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The NSCDC Comptroller-General, Abubakar Audi, separately announced the commandant’s suspension and ordered him to report to the corps’ headquarters in Abuja for questioning.
The Nigeria Police Force has also commenced an investigation into the incident.
Atiku demands accountability
Reacting to the deaths, Abubakar said the victims were human beings whose families had a legitimate expectation that the state would protect them while in custody.
“I am deeply saddened and profoundly disturbed by the deaths of dozens of Nigerians while in NSCDC custody in Niger State,” he said.
“These were human beings – sons, fathers, brothers and loved ones, whose families had every right to expect that, whatever allegations they faced, the state would protect their lives and dignity while they remained in its custody.”
The former vice president and presidential candidate of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 election, said being taken into government custody should not deprive anyone of the right to life.
“No Nigerian should enter government custody and lose the most basic right of all: the right to life,” he said.
He also called for the findings of the investigation to be made public.
“Anyone found responsible through action, abuse or negligence must be held fully accountable,” Abubakar said.
According to him, the families of the deceased deserve more than expressions of sympathy, saying they should be told what happened to their loved ones and given access to justice.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M