By Nnasom David

The Centre for Peace, Transparency and Accountability and allied civil society organisations have called for restraint and due process in the ongoing investigation into the reported deaths of suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

The groups said they supported a full investigation into the incident but cautioned against premature conclusions or attempts to discredit the Ministry of Interior and the NSCDC before the facts surrounding the deaths are established.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Comrade Patrick Onoumuodeke during a world press conference on the incident.

The organisations said the deaths of persons in security custody were serious and required answers, particularly regarding the condition of the detainees at the time of arrest, their detention conditions, access to medical care and the circumstances preceding their deaths.

They, however, said the actual cause of death should be established through credible medical, forensic and investigative processes rather than speculation or conflicting reports.

According to the groups, NSCDC personnel conducted enforcement operations on September 15 and 16, 2026, around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna, targeting suspected illegal mining activities.

The operations reportedly resulted in the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of exhibits allegedly linked to the activities.

The groups said a number of detainees were subsequently found dead in the early hours of September 17.

They noted that the Niger State Command initially referred to a suspected disease outbreak, while subsequent communication from the NSCDC National Headquarters stated that the cause of death had not been established and remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.

The organisations also noted that different figures had circulated regarding the number of deceased persons.

“This is precisely why we believe the public should await verified findings from the appropriate medical, forensic and investigative authorities rather than allow conflicting figures or speculation to define the narrative,” the groups said.

They called for the investigation to establish the verified number of deaths, the physical condition of those arrested, the duration and conditions of their detention, the medical attention provided to them and the circumstances immediately preceding their deaths.

The groups also urged investigators to determine the medical and forensic cause of death and establish whether any personnel breached established procedures or the law.

They welcomed the directive by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for a full-scale, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.

The organisations also cited the decision by the NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to direct the Niger State Commandant to step aside and report to the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja to appear before the investigative panel.

They said the Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation in the Niger State Command were also directed to appear before the panel, while a new commandant was deployed to take charge of the state command.

According to the groups, the measures demonstrated that the incident was being taken seriously.

They said the NSCDC had indicated that personnel found to have violated the law, established procedures or professional standards would face appropriate administrative, disciplinary and, where applicable, criminal sanctions.

The organisations also welcomed the involvement of the Niger State Government, which has constituted a committee of inquiry, as well as the police and medical and forensic authorities conducting their respective processes.

They said the involvement of multiple institutions should be viewed as an opportunity to establish the facts rather than evidence that the NSCDC had already been found culpable.

“An allegation involving one operation should not automatically become an indictment of the entire institution,” they said.

On calls for the suspension or removal of the NSCDC Commandant General over the incident, the groups said such demands should not replace the ongoing investigation.

They said there was no established finding at the time of the press conference that Audi had personally committed an offence, breached a procedure or was directly responsible for the deaths.

The organisations maintained that accountability should follow evidence, adding that if the investigation establishes wrongdoing or failure of duty at any level, the appropriate authorities should act in accordance with the law.

The groups also expressed support for the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, noting that the activity has implications for environmental protection, public revenue, community safety and national security.

They said the NSCDC had a legitimate mandate to enforce laws against illegal mining but stressed that the power to arrest and detain came with a corresponding responsibility to protect the safety and dignity of persons in custody.

The organisations said they supported lawful enforcement of Nigeria’s laws against illegal mining, the ongoing investigation, credible medical and forensic examinations and appropriate sanctions for personnel found responsible for wrongdoing.

They also rejected premature conclusions about the cause of the deaths, blanket condemnation of the Ministry of Interior or NSCDC, and calls for the removal of the NSCDC Commandant General before the investigation establishes responsibility.

The groups called for the findings of the investigation to be communicated transparently to Nigerians and urged all stakeholders to allow the process to proceed without interference, intimidation or prejudgment.

“This is a moment that requires maturity: to acknowledge the seriousness of these deaths without turning an unresolved incident into a predetermined verdict; to demand accountability without abandoning due process; and to support our security institutions without shielding wrongdoing,” they said.

They extended condolences to the families of those who died and urged stakeholders to remain calm while the relevant authorities complete the investigations.

“The families deserve justice. The Nigerian people deserve the truth. And the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deserve a fair and credible process through which the facts can be established, without aspersions or political bias,” the organisations said.