By Lazarus Zakaa
The National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze, has condemned the death of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
In a statement personally signed by him on Sunday, Udeze said the party received with shock, sadness and outrage the news of the deaths.
The deceased were among 67 persons arrested on September 15 and 16 in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages over alleged illegal mining. They were found dead in the early hours of September 17 while in state custody.
Udeze described the initial claim of a “disease outbreak” by the Niger State Command of the NSCDC as suspicious and an insult to Nigerians.
He said intelligence reports and survivor accounts point to overcrowding, poor ventilation, suffocation and possible spraying of harmful substances inside the cell where the 67 persons were cramped together.
“This is extra-judicial killing by negligence, and it is totally unacceptable in a democracy,” he said.
The AA National Chairman stated:
“This is a gross violation of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Illegal mining does not strip a Nigerian of his right to life, dignity and fair hearing.
“We commend Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for confirming the deaths and declaring three days of mourning, but we demand more than mourning. We demand accountability.
” We welcome the Federal Government’s 10-man independent probe panel set up by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on the orders of President Tinubu. However, this probe must not be swept under the carpet like others.”
The party therefore demanded an open, transparent and independent forensic autopsy on all 37 bodies as demanded by the National Human Rights Commission, with families represented; immediate prosecution of all officers found culpable for negligence, complicity or cover-up; adequate compensation for families of the deceased, many of whom are IDPs and artisanal miners; and urgent reform of all detention facilities of NSCDC, Police and other agencies nationwide.
“The lives of 37 poor miners matter as much as the lives of 37 governors. A government that cannot protect citizens in its own cells has lost its moral right to govern.
“We stand with the people of Niger State and with the families of the deceased. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done,” Udeze added.
