The International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Nigeria has demanded an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 people who reportedly died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna, Niger State.
In a statement signed by FIDA Nigeria Country Vice President, Eliana Martins, and National Publicity Secretary, Chineze Obianyo, the organisation said the incident raised serious questions about the state’s responsibility to protect the lives and dignity of people in detention.
FIDA expressed particular concern over reports that children were among those detained, with one report identifying a seven-year-old among the victims.
It said survivors had reportedly described severe overcrowding, intense heat and inadequate ventilation inside the detention facility, with detainees struggling to breathe and calling for assistance.
The organisation, however, stressed that the precise circumstances and causes of the deaths remained subject to investigation.
FIDA asked why 37 people died while in state custody and who would answer for what happened inside the facility, saying the questions required answers, evidence and accountability.
It maintained that arrest does not extinguish a person’s right to dignity, while children do not lose their rights because they, their parents or guardians are suspected of an offence.
“Custody places a heightened duty of care on the State. It does not suspend human rights,” FIDA said.
The organisation called for a full investigation into how the detainees were arrested, the basis for their detention, the number of people held, the conditions in which they were kept and the availability of medical assistance.
FIDA also demanded the preservation of arrest and detention records, CCTV footage, medical records, duty rosters, communication records, photographs, videos and other forensic evidence relevant to the case.
It called for accountability against anyone found to have acted unlawfully, breached a duty of care, ignored pleas for assistance, concealed information or otherwise contributed to the deaths.
FIDA further demanded the immediate identification and protection of every child affected by the incident, including verification of the identity and age of every child arrested or detained.
It called for surviving children to receive medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance and protection, while urging authorities not to return them to inappropriate detention arrangements.
The organisation welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to constitute an independent committee to investigate the deaths and suspend officers connected with the incident, but said the investigation must be independent, transparent, evidence-led and capable of producing consequences.
FIDA also called for an independent review of detention conditions within security agencies, focusing on overcrowding, ventilation, water, healthcare, emergency response, record-keeping and safeguards for children and other vulnerable detainees.
FIDA demands independent probe into death of 37 miners in NSCDC custody