The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday, demanded independent autopsies, the release of the victims’ identities and detention records, compensation for their families, and the prosecution of any officials found culpable.
The 37 suspects were arrested during raids on mining sites in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages in Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The NSCDC Commandant in Niger State, Suberu Aniviye, had said the suspects were apprehended during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities.
Reacting to the deaths, the ADC said the suspects’ alleged involvement in illegal mining did not deprive them of their constitutional rights to life, dignity and due process.
The party argued that poverty, unemployment and allegations of criminal activity could not justify the loss of citizens’ lives while in government custody.
“Thirty-seven Nigerians entered government custody alive. Their families are now being asked to receive their bodies. This is an indictment of this government about the value of the average Nigerian life. Low-income Nigerians are not disposable, and no Nigerian should lose his or her life simply because they were arrested while struggling to survive.
“We must be clear: poverty is not a capital offence. Unemployment is not a death sentence. No accusation, whatever the case, gives any government institution the right to return citizens to their families in body bags.
“The incident cannot be separated from the worsening cost-of-living and unemployment crises that have pushed millions of Nigerians into desperate and dangerous means of survival.
“The same APC-led federal government that has failed to provide jobs is now criminalising the desperation created by its own policies. Food is unaffordable, transportation has become a luxury, businesses are closing and legitimate opportunities are disappearing. Yet, rather than confront these failures, the government continues to punish the victims of its failures.”
The ADC further alleged that enforcement efforts disproportionately target poor miners while influential individuals and criminal networks involved in illegal mining remain beyond the reach of the law.
“The poor are arrested for digging to survive, while the powerful men who finance illegal mining, sponsor insecurity and cart away Nigeria’s mineral wealth remain beyond the reach of the law. The Tinubu administration has made honest work scarce, survival expensive and insecurity profitable.
“President Tinubu must decide whether Nigeria’s security institutions exist to protect citizens or punish them for being poor. Nigerians need jobs, security and justice, not an economy that impoverishes them and institutions that treat their lives as disposable.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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