NSCDC Niger Custody Miners Deaths Investigation: Commander Suspended

• Thirty-seven suspected illegal gold miners died from alleged suffocation while in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State.
• Survivors reported extreme overcrowding and lack of ventilation, with their pleas for help ignored by guards.
• The incident sparked riots in Minna, leading to a 24-hour curfew and police intervention.
• The Nigerian government suspended NSCDC State Commander Suberu Siyaka Aniviye and ordered a full investigation into the Niger state artisanal miners deaths.
• President Tinubu has called for the prosecution of any officials linked to the custodial deaths, highlighting human rights concerns in Nigeria.

Lawyers representing victims' families or human rights organizations will be closely monitoring the ongoing investigation into the NSCDC's conduct for potential legal action regarding negligence, human rights violations, or wrongful death.

A devastating incident in Niger State, Nigeria, saw 37 suspected illegal gold miners perish while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), a paramilitary organization. The deaths, which occurred on a Thursday, triggered widespread unrest and rioting in Minna, the state capital, the following day. Eyewitness accounts from survivors paint a harrowing picture of the conditions inside the detention facility, suggesting suffocation as the cause of death, a claim later supported by an intelligence report.

Survivors recounted a desperate struggle for air within the overcrowded cell. One individual, Dauda Shehu, described being "jam-packed" with inadequate ventilation, leading to a frantic scramble for fresh air. He detailed repeated, unanswered pleas to the guards, including banging on the cell door and raising alarms that people were succumbing to suffocation. Another survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, attributed his survival to his proximity to the cell's entrance, where he could breathe more easily, and corroborated the ignored cries for help, stating that guards disbelieved their warnings about people dying.

The immediate aftermath saw public anger erupt into protests. Mobs blocked a main street in Minna and attacked a transport depot, prompting police intervention. Authorities deployed officers to disperse the crowds, though it remained unclear whether anti-riot pellets or live ammunition were used. In response to the escalating tensions, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced a nighttime curfew, which was subsequently expanded to a 24-hour curfew across the state to quell the unrest.

The Nigerian government swiftly reacted to the tragedy, ordering a comprehensive NSCDC Niger custody miners deaths investigation. As part of these initial steps, the Interior Ministry announced the suspension of Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, the state commander of the NSCDC in Niger, under whose watch the incident occurred. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo affirmed that a full inquiry would proceed while the commandant remained suspended, signaling a commitment to accountability.

President Tinubu has also reportedly ordered the prosecution of any officials found to be linked to the miners' deaths, underscoring the gravity with which the federal government views the incident. This directive highlights the potential for legal action against those responsible, moving beyond mere disciplinary measures. While the NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to disease, an intelligence report seen by AFP contradicted this, pointing instead to overcrowding and poor ventilation as the primary factors.

Lawyers representing victims' families or human rights organizations will be closely monitoring the ongoing investigation into the NSCDC's conduct for potential legal action regarding negligence, human rights violations, or wrongful death.

The tragic deaths of these artisanal miners cast a harsh light on the perilous conditions prevalent in Nigeria's informal mining sector, particularly in resource-rich regions like Niger State. This state, more than twice the size of Belgium, attracts thousands of individuals, often lured by the prospect of striking gold. However, the scramble for gold reserves from illegal mines fuels significant violence, with criminal gangs, locally known as bandits, taxing miners and demanding a share of extracted ore for access to pits.

This incident serves as a critical reminder for compliance officers regarding the risks associated with artisanal mining operations and the accountability of state security forces. The alleged suffocation of individuals in Nigeria civil defence custody raises serious questions about custodial deaths in Nigeria and adherence to human rights standards. A 40-second video circulated online, purportedly showing the victims, depicted dozens of young men, many appearing to be teenagers and clad only in shorts, sprawled on the ground, further emphasizing the vulnerability of those involved in this sector.

Beyond Niger State, other regions are also grappling with the challenges of regulating mining activities. Nasarawa state, for instance, has implemented measures such as banning individuals under 18 from mining and establishing a task force to enforce regulations. These broader efforts underscore the systemic issues within Nigeria's mining industry and the urgent need for improved oversight, safety protocols, and respect for human rights, especially for those in detention.

Lawyers representing victims' families or human rights organizations will be monitoring the ongoing investigation into the NSCDC's conduct for potential legal action regarding negligence, human rights violations, or wrongful death. This incident also serves as a critical reminder for compliance officers regarding the risks associated with artisanal mining operations and the accountability of state security forces.

Source: Original reporting via AFP Agency Report