The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians who reportedly died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party demanded independent autopsies, the publication of the identities and detention records of the deceased, compensation for their families, and the prosecution of any officials found responsible.
The ADC said the victims, who were arrested during raids on mining sites, remained entitled to their constitutional rights to life, dignity and due process.
“Thirty-seven Nigerians entered government custody alive. Their families are now being asked to receive their bodies. This is an indictment on this government about the value of the average Nigerian life,” the party said.
“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,” it added.
The party linked the deaths to Nigeria’s worsening cost-of-living and unemployment crises, accusing the Federal Government of criminalising desperate attempts by poor Nigerians to make a living.
It also alleged that while poor miners were being arrested, powerful individuals allegedly financing illegal mining and criminal networks connected to the sector were not being adequately targeted.
The ADC urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to establish whether security institutions were protecting citizens and called for jobs, security and justice for Nigerians.
The party said the deaths should not be treated as an isolated incident and reiterated its demand for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 37 deaths.
ADC demands probe into deaths of 37 Nigerians in NSCDC custody