NBA names team to probe death of 37 miners in Niger

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced it will investigate the deaths of 37 miners held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, stated the association would form a team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former NBA General Secretary, Jonathan Gunu Taidi, SAN. The team will work with families of the deceased, surviving detainees, and relevant authorities while monitoring ongoing investigations.

The NBA emphasizes conducting a thorough, independent, transparent, and credible investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention, and deaths of the detainees. They wish to examine the conditions in which the detainees were held, the medical attention available, and the scientific cause of death. The NBA also urges authorities to investigate reports of overcrowding, lack of ventilation, and the treatment of detainees.

The association urges authorities to investigate the ownership and control of the mining operations where the detainees were arrested, stating that those who organized, financed, or profited from the operations should not be the only ones targeted. NBA stresses the importance of establishing the ownership and control of the mining operations and pursuing everyone found responsible.

The NBA emphasizes that suspects are not convicts and urges the presumption of innocence to guide the treatment of every person from the moment they are taken into custody. The NBA calls for a full and transparent investigation and accountability for anyone found responsible through abuse, negligence, or dereliction of duty. NBA urges citizens to remain calm and allows the investigations to proceed without violence or destruction.