N’Central youths condemn death of 37 miners in NSCDC custody

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has called for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 individuals detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. According to a statement released by FIDA, the incident has cast serious doubt on the government's duty to safeguard the lives and dignity of those in detention, particularly concerning reports that children were among the victims, including a seven-year-old.

FIDA has expressed deep concern over accounts describing the detention facility as severely overcrowded, with intense heat and poor ventilation, leading to detainees struggling to breathe and urgently calling for help. The organization is seeking answers regarding the exact circumstances and causes of the deaths, as well as accountability for the events that unfolded in the facility.

FIDA emphasizes that the cessation of a person's right to dignity upon arrest does not occur, and children retain their rights regardless of the suspected offenses they are involved in. The group demands a comprehensive investigation into the arrest process, the rationale behind the detainees' detention, the total count of individuals held, the conditions of their confinement, and the availability of medical assistance.

Additionally, FIDA urges the preservation of all relevant records, including arrest and detention paperwork, CCTV footage, medical records, duty schedules, communication logs, photographs, videos, and other forensic evidence related to the case. The organization is also demanding the immediate protection and identification of every child impacted by the incident, ensuring they receive necessary medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, and proper safeguarding.

FIDA welcomes the Federal Government's decision to form an independent committee to probe the deaths and suspend officers involved, but stresses that the investigation must be impartial, transparent, evidence-based, and result-oriented. Furthermore, FIDA calls for a thorough review of detention conditions across security agencies, scrutinizing overcrowding, ventilation, water supply, healthcare provision, emergency response protocols, record-keeping practices, and protective measures for vulnerable detainees, particularly children.