The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, following the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the agency’s custody in Niger State.
The group also urged the Federal Government to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths are properly investigated, while providing compensation to the families of the deceased.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 20, MURIC’s Coordinator for the Northern States and Abuja, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, described the incident as deeply troubling and called for measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The organisation said the reported deaths raised serious concerns about the treatment of detainees in government custody, particularly where allegations of overcrowding and poor detention conditions are involved.
Indabawa referred to Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to dignity and prohibits torture or inhuman and degrading treatment.
According to him, accountability must extend beyond determining what caused the deaths to addressing any institutional failures that may have contributed to the incident.
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MURIC maintained that the families of the deceased deserve justice and adequate compensation, arguing that such action would demonstrate that abuses of authority would not be overlooked.
The organisation further called for a nationwide review of the NSCDC’s operational and custodial procedures, particularly the conditions under which suspects are detained.
It said such reforms were necessary to restore public confidence in the security agency and prevent a recurrence of the incident.
The call comes amid investigations into the deaths of the 37 miners, who were reportedly arrested in Niger State and subsequently died while in NSCDC custody.
MURIC said the government must ensure that the investigation is thorough and that appropriate action is taken where wrongdoing or negligence is established.
The organisation also stressed the need for improved detention facilities and adherence to constitutional safeguards governing the treatment of persons in custody.