The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
In a statement on Friday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party also called for independent autopsies, publication of the identities and detention records of the deceased, compensation for their families and prosecution of officials found responsible.
The ADC said the victims, who were arrested during raids on mining sites, retained their constitutional rights to life, dignity and due process despite their arrest.
“Thirty-seven Nigerians entered government custody alive. Their families are now being asked to receive their bodies. This is an indictment on this government about the value of the average Nigerian life,” the party said.
The party said poverty and unemployment could not justify the alleged treatment of citizens in custody, stressing: “Poverty is not a capital offence. Unemployment is not a death sentence.”
The ADC linked the incident to the worsening cost-of-living crisis and unemployment, accusing the Federal Government of failing to address the economic conditions driving Nigerians into desperate means of survival.
“The same APC-led federal government that has failed to provide jobs is now criminalising the desperation created by its own policies,” it said.
The party further accused the government of targeting poor miners while allegedly failing to go after the powerful interests financing illegal mining and benefiting from criminal networks.
“The poor are arrested for digging to survive, while the powerful men who finance illegal mining, sponsor insecurity and cart away Nigeria’s mineral wealth remain beyond the reach of the law,” the ADC said.
The opposition party urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were fully established and those found culpable prosecuted.
“President Tinubu must decide whether Nigeria’s security institutions exist to protect citizens or punish them for being poor. Nigerians need jobs, security and justice, not an economy that impoverishes them and institutions that treat their lives as disposable,” it said.
