The Centre for Peace, Transparency and Accountability has called for a thorough investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners following their arrest during enforcement operations in Niger.
The executive director of the organisation, Patrick Onomuodeke, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Mr Onomuodeke urged Nigerians to allow due process and avoid drawing conclusions until investigations into the deaths were concluded.
He said the suspects were arrested during operations conducted on Sept. 15 and 16 around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state, with their deaths discovered in the early hours of September 17.
He said an initial suggestion of a suspected disease outbreak was followed by a clarification from the National Headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that the actual cause of death had not been established.
According to him, the cause remained subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.
“Until the medical examinations and investigations are concluded, it would be unfair to attribute the deaths to a specific cause without evidence,” he said.
Mr Onomuodeke noted that the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, had ordered a high-powered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He said the probe was expected to examine the condition of the suspects at the time of arrest, their period in custody, detention conditions and the medical attention provided to them.
It would also examine the circumstances surrounding their deaths, he added.
He said the Niger State Police Command had also commenced a separate investigation into the incident.
Mr Onomuodeke said the investigations would help establish the facts and determine any necessary corrective measures.
He said enforcement against illegal mining was part of broader efforts to protect Nigeria’s natural resources and address activities that could undermine national development and economic security.
He, however, stressed that enforcement should be accompanied by professionalism, proper procedures and respect for human dignity.
The executive director urged the media, civil society organisations and members of the public to avoid sensationalism while investigations and medical examinations were ongoing.
He said the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC remained important institutions in Nigeria’s internal security architecture and should uphold transparency, professionalism and accountability.
Mr Onomuodeke urged the authorities to communicate the outcome of the investigations responsibly, saying facts, accountability and due process were necessary in addressing the incident.
Governor Umar Bago of Niger had announced the constitution of a committee to investigate the root causes of the deaths.
Mr Bago said the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC had also constituted committees to unravel the causes of the deaths.
He said his administration valued the lives of citizens and would not tolerate injustice, assuring that the circumstances surrounding the deaths would be thoroughly investigated.