By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has commended the Federal Government for suspending the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers under whose watch dozens of suspected illegal miners died in Niger State, while demanding that justice be served.
In a statement issued on Friday, Atiku said he was “deeply saddened and profoundly disturbed” by the deaths of the miners while in NSCDC custody.
“These were human beings — sons, fathers, brothers and loved ones, whose families had every right to expect that, whatever allegations they faced, the state would protect their lives and dignity while they remained in its custody,” he said.
“No Nigerian should enter government custody and lose the most basic right of all: the right to life.”
The former vice-president commended the Federal Government for the swift decision to suspend the officers under whose watch the tragedy occurred and to order a full investigation.
“That is an important first step, but it must not end there,” he said.
“The investigation must be independent, thorough and transparent, and its findings must be made public. Anyone found responsible through action, abuse or negligence must be held fully accountable.”
Atiku said the families of the deceased deserve more than condolences.
“They deserve the truth. They deserve justice. And Nigerians deserve the assurance that custody by the state will never become a death sentence,” he said.
The ADC presidential hopeful extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
“My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray that God grants them strength and comfort in this painful hour, and that the truth is established without delay,” he said.
The deaths occurred after the suspects were arrested during enforcement operations around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
An exclusive report by SaharaReporters had alleged that the miners were beaten and physically assaulted before their deaths, with eyewitnesses claiming NSCDC officers attempted to dispose of the bodies without notifying their families.
The NSCDC has confirmed that several suspected illegal miners died in its custody but has disputed any established cause of death, saying the circumstances are being investigated.
The Corps said the remains had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination and determination of the actual cause of death.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak but later clarified that any claim linking the deaths to a particular disease had not been medically or scientifically established.
FG Suspends Officers, Orders Probe
The Federal Government’s suspension of the officers followed mounting public outrage over the incident. The NSCDC had also constituted a high-powered investigative team, led by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation, to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects at the time of arrest, the period they spent in custody, the conditions of their detention and the medical attention provided to them.
Discussion about this post