Amnesty International has called for an urgent and independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The human rights organisation is demanding full accountability and transparency regarding the circumstances that led to the mass fatalities. The deaths occurred while the individuals were being held by the agency, raising serious concerns about the treatment of detainees and the conditions within NSCDC custodial facilities.
The demand for a probe follows reports that the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners took place under the supervision of security personnel, sparking allegations of negligence or abuse of power.
Mining Security and Custodial Accountability
Illegal mining remains a critical security and economic challenge in Niger State and other parts of North Central Nigeria. While the NSCDC is mandated to protect critical national infrastructure and regulate mining activities to prevent illegal exploitation, the scale of these deaths suggests a breakdown in standard operating procedures for the handling of suspects.
Amnesty International has historically flagged the issue of torture and extrajudicial killings within Nigerian security agencies. In this instance, the organisation insists that an internal review by the NSCDC would be insufficient. It argues that only an independent body, free from the influence of the agency, can establish the exact cause of death for the 37 individuals and identify those responsible for the lapse in care or the application of excessive force.
The incident occurs amid a broader national effort to formalise the mining sector and eliminate the influence of illegal operators who often bypass environmental regulations and tax obligations. However, human rights advocates maintain that the fight against illegal mining must not override the fundamental right to life and the right to a fair trial for all suspects.
Legal experts note that deaths in police or paramilitary custody are treated as serious breaches of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. The families of the deceased are expected to seek clarity on whether autopsies were conducted and whether the deaths were the result of medical emergencies, systemic neglect, or targeted violence.
The NSCDC has not yet issued a comprehensive public response detailing the specific events that led to the deaths. The situation remains unresolved as Amnesty International and other civil society groups continue to pressure the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators, if any, are prosecuted in a court of law.
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