The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has demanded an expeditious and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The party also condemned the reported use of ammunition and tear gas by security agencies against citizens protesting the deaths, warning that such actions could result in further fatalities.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, the APM described the deaths as “avoidable” and expressed concern over reports that the victims were detained under inhuman conditions.

The party said that claims by authorities that the victims were suspected illegal miners and died following a suspected disease outbreak did not justify the deaths.

“It only validates reports of inhuman conditions under which they were detained for over two days,” the statement said.

The APM further alleged that 66 persons were cramped into a single cell, resulting in the deaths of 37 inmates from excessive heat, after they were reportedly sprayed with an unidentified substance.

The party said the incident raised serious questions about the treatment of citizens in government detention facilities, particularly the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“It is unimaginable that sixty-six persons were cramped into a cell where 37 of them died of excessive heat and after being reportedly sprayed with a yet to be identified substance,” it said.

The APM also condemned the alleged use of force against protesters, urging security agencies to exercise restraint in handling protests over the incident.

It demanded an “open, transparent and unrestricted probe” into both the deaths in custody and the alleged use of ammunition against protesters.

“The death of citizens in detention facilities cannot be justified under any guise,” the party said, insisting that citizens’ lives must be treated with dignity as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

While sympathising with the victims’ families and the people of Niger State, the APM urged Nigerians to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has demanded an expeditious and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The party also condemned the reported use of ammunition and tear gas by security agencies against citizens protesting the deaths, warning that such actions could result in further fatalities.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, the APM described the deaths as “avoidable” and expressed concern over reports that the victims were detained under inhuman conditions.

The party said that claims by authorities that the victims were suspected illegal miners and died following a suspected disease outbreak did not justify the deaths.

“It only validates reports of inhuman conditions under which they were detained for over two days,” the statement said.

The APM further alleged that 66 persons were cramped into a single cell, resulting in the deaths of 37 inmates from excessive heat, after they were reportedly sprayed with an unidentified substance.

The party said the incident raised serious questions about the treatment of citizens in government detention facilities, particularly the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“It is unimaginable that sixty-six persons were cramped into a cell where 37 of them died of excessive heat and after being reportedly sprayed with a yet to be identified substance,” it said.

The APM also condemned the alleged use of force against protesters, urging security agencies to exercise restraint in handling protests over the incident.

It demanded an “open, transparent and unrestricted probe” into both the deaths in custody and the alleged use of ammunition against protesters.

“The death of citizens in detention facilities cannot be justified under any guise,” the party said, insisting that citizens’ lives must be treated with dignity as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

While sympathising with the victims’ families and the people of Niger State, the APM urged Nigerians to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has demanded an expeditious and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The party also condemned the reported use of ammunition and tear gas by security agencies against citizens protesting the deaths, warning that such actions could result in further fatalities.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, the APM described the deaths as “avoidable” and expressed concern over reports that the victims were detained under inhuman conditions.

The party said that claims by authorities that the victims were suspected illegal miners and died following a suspected disease outbreak did not justify the deaths.

“It only validates reports of inhuman conditions under which they were detained for over two days,” the statement said.

The APM further alleged that 66 persons were cramped into a single cell, resulting in the deaths of 37 inmates from excessive heat, after they were reportedly sprayed with an unidentified substance.

The party said the incident raised serious questions about the treatment of citizens in government detention facilities, particularly the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“It is unimaginable that sixty-six persons were cramped into a cell where 37 of them died of excessive heat and after being reportedly sprayed with a yet to be identified substance,” it said.

The APM also condemned the alleged use of force against protesters, urging security agencies to exercise restraint in handling protests over the incident.

It demanded an “open, transparent and unrestricted probe” into both the deaths in custody and the alleged use of ammunition against protesters.

“The death of citizens in detention facilities cannot be justified under any guise,” the party said, insisting that citizens’ lives must be treated with dignity as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

While sympathising with the victims’ families and the people of Niger State, the APM urged Nigerians to remain calm while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.