HURIWA Demands Independent Probe Into Deaths of 37 Suspected Illegal Miners in Niger

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

HURIWA described the reported deaths as a serious human rights concern, saying the circumstances surrounding the incident must be independently established.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Friday, the group said citizens arrested alive by security agencies should not subsequently die in custody without a prompt, transparent and independent explanation.

According to HURIWA, the reported deaths in Minna raise questions about what happened between the arrest of the suspects around the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, and the time their bodies were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna.

The organisation questioned how 37 people arrested alive could have died while in the custody of a government security agency.

HURIWA acknowledged that the NSCDC had announced an investigative panel and stated that the cause of death had not been medically or laboratory confirmed.

However, the group said the NSCDC should not be solely responsible for investigating an incident involving personnel who had custody of the deceased.

It argued that an institution whose personnel had custody of the detainees should not simultaneously serve as investigator and determine whether its officers bore responsibility for the deaths.

HURIWA therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to constitute an independent judicial or multi-agency panel of inquiry into the incident.

It said the panel should include independent forensic pathologists, medical experts, representatives of the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations and other credible institutions with no connection to the detention operation.

The group also demanded full autopsies and independent laboratory and toxicological examinations to establish the precise cause of each death.

It urged investigators to establish the condition of each suspect at the time of arrest, the number of detainees held, the facilities where they were detained, the duration of their detention, the food and water provided, medical treatment administered, personnel on duty and all movements or transfers involving the suspects.

HURIWA further called for the preservation and independent examination of CCTV footage, detention registers, medical records, arrest records, duty rosters and communication logs relating to the detainees.

The rights group said any officer found, after due process, to have unlawfully caused, facilitated or negligently contributed to the deaths should face criminal prosecution under applicable Nigerian law.

It also called for the suspension of officers directly implicated by preliminary evidence pending the outcome of an independent investigation.

HURIWA maintained that lawful custody does not authorise security personnel to abuse, torture or neglect detainees or expose them to conditions capable of causing death.

The organisation further demanded that families of the deceased be formally notified, given access to independent medical information and involved in establishing the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Where state responsibility is established, HURIWA demanded compensation of ₦100 million for each deceased victim, in addition to prosecution of responsible officials and other remedies available under Nigerian law.

The group also urged the federal government to account for everyone still detained in connection with the Niger State mining enforcement operation and ensure that their health, safety and fundamental rights are protected.

HURIWA cautioned against attributing the deaths to an alleged disease before credible medical and laboratory evidence establishes such a conclusion.

The organisation urged the federal government to treat the reported deaths as a serious human rights matter and establish an independent inquiry to determine what happened, establish responsibility where applicable and prevent a recurrence.