By Fatima Abubakar
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded justice and adequate compensation for the families of the 37 artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The faith-based civil liberties organisation also called for a complete overhaul of the NSCDC’s operational and custodial practices nationwide to prevent a recurrence of the incident and address concerns over public confidence in the agency.
In a press release issued on Sunday, September 20, 2026, MURIC’s Kano State Chairman and Coordinator for the organisation in the 19 northern states and Abuja, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, said the group was concerned about the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the anguish being experienced by the victims’ families.
The 37 detainees were among about 67 people arrested during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State on September 15 and 16. They were subsequently found dead in custody on September 17.
MURIC said the deaths had generated widespread outrage, particularly following accounts from survivors alleging that the detainees were held in an overcrowded cell with inadequate ventilation and excessive heat. One survivor also alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed into the cell, although the circumstances and cause of the deaths remain subject to investigation.
The organisation said that if the allegations concerning the detention conditions and substance were established, they would raise serious questions about the conduct of personnel responsible for the detainees.
MURIC noted that persons held in law-enforcement custody remain entitled to their fundamental rights, including the right to life and dignity. It cited Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.
The group also referenced Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
MURIC further expressed concern over what it described as allegations of human rights abuses, illegal arrests, prolonged detention, extortion, harassment, intimidation and improper custodial practices involving some NSCDC personnel.
The organisation, however, commended the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, mnips, as well as the State Security Service (DSS) and the Niger State Government for what it described as their proactive response to the incident.
MURIC also commended the Federal Government for constituting a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, examine their arrest and detention, determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths and identify any responsibility, negligence or misconduct. The government said the committee would also recommend compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The development followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths. The Federal Government has also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the investigation.
MURIC said the investigation should establish the truth and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable.
The group therefore demanded justice for the deceased and adequate compensation for their bereaved parents and relatives, saying such measures would help provide redress and reinforce accountability.
MURIC also called for a complete overhaul of the operational and custodial practices of the NSCDC nationwide, stressing the need for measures capable of preventing similar incidents and rebuilding public trust in the security agency.
