By Ben Adoga, David Eze, Anthony Otaru and David Lawani
Thirty-seven Nigerians arrested during an operation against suspected illegal mining in Niger State are dead, leaving grieving families and disturbing questions over what happened after the men were taken into government custody.
The deaths have shifted attention from the allegations that led to the arrests to the circumstances surrounding the detention of the suspects, including the conditions in which they were held and whether adequate measures were taken to safeguard their lives.
The incident has produced competing accounts, making the ongoing independent investigation critical to establishing the actual cause of death and determining whether any official or institution bears responsibility.
The NSCDC had initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, with the bodies deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.
However, accounts attributed to survivors have raised questions over overcrowding, ventilation, access to food and water and the response of officers to complaints from detainees.
*NSCDC parades suspended commandant, several others
The controversy took a new turn on Sunday when the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, paraded its suspended Niger State Commandant, Commandant Suberu Aniviye, alongside several other officers over the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners held in its custody.
The officers were paraded at the NSCDC National Headquarters, Sauka, Abuja, as the Corps briefed journalists on its preliminary investigation into the incident.
The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, led the briefing.
The 37 detainees died after their arrest during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.
While the Corps’ initial account pointed to a suspected disease outbreak, concerns have subsequently centred on the conditions under which the detainees were held following allegations by survivors and relatives of overcrowding and poor detention conditions.
The parade of the suspended commandant and other officers comes as authorities seek to establish what happened to the detainees and determine whether operational or administrative failures contributed to the deaths.
*Survivors’ accounts raise questions over overcrowding, ventilation, welfare
Hahuza Garba Alawa, Project Coordinator of the International Human Rights Commission in Niger State, said survivors told him that about 66 male detainees were kept in a small and poorly ventilated cell.
“The cell where the males were kept was somehow very small. It was not spacious, and there was not enough ventilation,” Alawa said.
He alleged that some detainees began losing consciousness and called on officers to open the cell.
“They were telling the officers, ‘You people should come and open the cell. Come and open us. Some of us are dying,’” he said.
Alawa further alleged that detainees were denied food and water and that relatives who brought food were prevented from gaining access to them.
“Though it was not deliberate, it was negligence on the part of the people working there,” he said.
The allegations have not been independently established and remain among the issues expected to be examined by the investigations into the deaths.
The accounts have nevertheless raised questions about the capacity of the detention facility, the number of people held there, ventilation, access to necessities and the response to detainees who reportedly began experiencing distress.
*Rights groups demand prosecution if negligence is established
Human rights advocates have called for a transparent investigation and prosecution of anyone found responsible.
Legal practitioner Yemi Akanbi Jos said the deceased suspects were entitled to constitutional protections regardless of the allegations against them.
He argued that they were presumed innocent until proven guilty and retained their rights to life, dignity and personal liberty.
“The circumstances surrounding the death of the suspected illegal miners demand immediate scrutiny beyond an internal investigation by the NSCDC,” Jos said.
He called for the prosecution of anyone found responsible and compensation for the bereaved families.
Senator Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, similarly called for a transparent investigation, stressing that the allegations against the deceased could not diminish the value of their lives.
“Whatever the circumstances surrounding their arrest or the allegations against them, every human life is precious,” Musa said.
He said investigators should examine the conditions in which the men were held, the medical attention available to them and the circumstances leading to their deaths.
“These men were someone’s sons, fathers, brothers, husbands and loved ones. Behind every number is a human being, a family and a community now facing an unimaginable loss,” he said.
Musa said accountability should follow if negligence, wrongdoing or failure of duty was established.
“The truth must be established, and where there has been negligence, wrongdoing or failure of duty, appropriate accountability must follow,” he said.
Human rights activist Steve Ugamah described the incident as a national tragedy and questioned why such a large number of detainees were allegedly held in a facility that was inadequate for them.
“How do you explain the reality that 37 young men, some fathers, brothers and uncles, left their families in the morning with the hope and promise of returning to them in the evening only to die in the circumstances they did?” Ugamah asked.
He called for those responsible for the arrests and detention to be investigated, including senior officers if their conduct or decisions contributed to the deaths.
*Government orders independent investigation
The Federal Government on Saturday constituted a 10-member independent committee to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, examine the circumstances of their arrest and detention, determine the cause of death and establish whether negligence or misconduct occurred.
President Bola Tinubu directed that any official found to have contributed to the deaths through action, abuse or negligence should face prosecution.
“The fact that these individuals were suspected of illegal mining does not in any way remove their right to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody,” Tinubu said.
He ordered a comprehensive investigation into the arrests, detention conditions, medical attention provided to the detainees and events leading to their deaths.
“Where the investigation establishes that any official, through action, abuse or negligence, contributed to these deaths, such an officer must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the President said.
The Niger State Government has also initiated an inquiry into the incident, while autopsies have been ordered to help establish the cause of death.
The independent panel is expected to examine the competing accounts and establish whether the deaths resulted from a medical condition, detention conditions or a combination of factors.
*Shehu Sani: Crowded cells can become death traps
Former Senator Shehu Sani, drawing on his experience of prolonged detention, described overcrowded cells as “hell on earth”, highlighting the potential dangers of heat and inadequate airflow in confined spaces.
“For those of us with the experience of prolonged detention in a crowded cell, we know the cruelty of the dungeon; the darkness, the asphyxiation, the sweat, the pungent odour and the tears,” Sani said.
He insisted that anyone found to have contributed to the deaths should face the law.
“Those who are directly or indirectly involved in this must face the full wrath of the law for the rest of their lives,” he said.
*Adeyanju: Victims’ interests must be protected
Lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, who is a member of the independent investigative committee, said he accepted the appointment to ensure that the interests of the victims were protected.
“I am joining the committee solely to protect the interests of the victims and ensure that the truth is established,” Adeyanju said.
He pledged not to accept payment for his participation and warned against any attempt to interfere with the investigation.
“If there is any attempt to shield those responsible or suppress the truth, I will expose it. The victims deserve justice,” he said.
For the families of the 37 deceased, however, the investigation represents more than an official inquiry.
