By John Azu
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the deaths of about 37 persons suspected to be artisanal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
In a statement on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), questioned the circumstances surrounding the deaths and called for a thorough investigation.
Ojukwu’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Mrs Fatimah Agwai Mohammed.
The NHRC said it had commenced a preliminary investigation to ascertain the cause of death of the detainees, who were arrested during enforcement operations in the Wushishi-Lukoto area of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
The Commission said the bodies of the deceased were subsequently deposited at the General Hospital, Minna.
Ojukwu commiserated with the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State, expressing concern over the deaths of persons who were in government custody.
He called for an independent forensic autopsy and the preservation of all relevant evidence, stressing that the investigation ordered by the Minister of Interior and the NSCDC must be transparent, thorough and conducted in accordance with international standards for investigating potentially unlawful deaths in custody.
The NHRC boss reminded law enforcement agencies that being suspected of illegal mining does not extinguish the constitutional rights of citizens.
He said every person in custody must be treated with dignity and in accordance with the law.
“Citizens who are arrested on suspicion by law enforcement agents are by law expected to enjoy the full complement of their fundamental human rights in accordance with national and international human rights instruments,” he said.
Ojukwu urged youths in Minna to remain calm and refrain from violence, assuring them that the Commission would pursue accountability and ensure that appropriate remedies were provided where violations were established.
He said the NHRC would continue to monitor the situation and work with relevant authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were fully established.