The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has condemned the reported death of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The party also called for an open and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, particularly reports that 66 detainees were kept in a single cell for more than two days.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, the APM said the deaths raised serious concerns about the treatment of citizens in detention.
“The avoidable death of these citizens who were reportedly detained in very inhuman conditions in a government facility is yet another sad episode which further spotlights the level of inconsequentiality the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration attaches to human lives,” Abubakar said.
The party rejected the explanation that the victims were alleged illegal miners who died following a suspected disease outbreak.
The APM argued that such an explanation did not address reports about the conditions in which the detainees were held before their deaths.
The party said it was unacceptable that 66 people were held in a single cell, where 37 reportedly died from excessive heat after allegedly being sprayed with an unidentified substance.
The party said the incident was particularly disturbing given the security challenges facing Nigerians, including attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and armed robbers.
It said government agencies should protect citizens and not become another source of harm.
“Indeed, this is not the Nigeria we dream of,” Abubakar said.
The APM also condemned the reported use of ammunition and tear gas by security agencies against citizens who protested the deaths.
It warned that the use of force against protesters could worsen the situation and lead to further loss of lives.
“We demand a prompt, open, transparent and unrestricted investigation into the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the deaths at the NSCDC facility and the reported use of ammunition against protesters,” the APM said.
It also called for the dignity and safety of citizens to be protected regardless of the circumstances surrounding their detention.
“The lives of citizens must be treated with dignity as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The death of citizens in detention facilities cannot be justified under any guise,” the party said.
The APM sympathised with the families of those who died and the people of Niger State, while urging Nigerians to remain calm as investigations into the incident continue.
APM condemns death of 37 Nigerians in NSCDC custody, demands probe