The Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria (ACSN) has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), particularly its Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, for its response to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody in Niger State.
The group, however, called for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Wale Adegoke, and Secretary, Comrade Musa Abdullahi, the ACSN said the incident required accountability while cautioning against drawing premature conclusions before the completion of investigations.
The group said the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and other officers connected with the incident was an appropriate administrative measure to facilitate an unhindered investigation.
It said anyone found culpable through negligence, dereliction of duty or other misconduct should face appropriate disciplinary or legal consequences.
The ACSN also commended Audi for what it described as steps towards strengthening professionalism and accountability within the NSCDC.
According to the group, efforts by the NSCDC leadership to improve the operational capacity of the Corps, including the provision of a new headquarters for the Niger State Command, reflected an ongoing attempt to improve the working environment and effectiveness of its personnel.
The organisation also noted the clarification by Niger State Governor, Farmer Umaru Bago, regarding the location where the suspects were arrested, saying the clarification was important in establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
The ACSN said the broader challenge of illegal mining also required attention, noting that illegal mining had security and economic implications and could not be addressed solely through arrests and enforcement operations.
It urged authorities to investigate the networks facilitating illegal mining and examine the role of individuals who may be enabling the activities to continue.
The group further cautioned against politicising the deaths, stressing that the incident involved human lives and should be treated with seriousness and responsibility.
“Premature conclusions and politically charged narratives could undermine the integrity of the investigation and distract from the need to determine exactly what happened,” the group said.
The ACSN urged civil society organisations, political actors, traditional institutions, security agencies and members of the public to allow the investigative process to run its course.
It also commended the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC for their respective responses to the incident and the broader challenge of illegal mining.
The group called on the NSCDC leadership to sustain institutional reforms, strengthen internal accountability mechanisms and ensure that the outcome of the investigation is communicated to the public in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
It said the incident should reinforce the principle that every life matters and every public officer must be accountable, while security institutions must operate within established professional and legal standards.
