The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has lamented the death of 37 arrested suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna, Niger State.
In a post on his verified X handle on Friday, Obi urged Nigerians to begin to give dignity to human lives, describing the incident as deeply troubling that demands urgent answers.
According to him, whatever offence the deceased suspects committed, they were still human beings, and the responsibility of the state was to keep them alive, safe, and treated humanely while due process took its course.
He said that is particularly disturbing that so many people could die within a place of detention in such a short period.
The presidential candidate noted that while investigations are ongoing into the actual cause of these deaths, including reports concerning disease, overcrowding, and inadequate ventilation, Nigerians deserve a transparent, independent, and credible investigation that establishes exactly what happened.
“Let’s begin to give dignity to human lives in our land. This tragedy also reminds us that security is not merely about arresting people. Security is about protecting lives, upholding the dignity of every citizen, and ensuring that the institutions entrusted with our safety operate within the law.
“A nation cannot claim to value human life when people can enter government custody alive and emerge dead without immediate, transparent, and credible accountability.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and urge the authorities to ensure that justice is done. Nigeria must become a country where the rule of law protects every citizen, not only those who are free but also those who are in custody,” he tweeted.
Niger miners’ death: Let’s give dignity to human lives – Peter Obi