The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, has called for a prompt, thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the reported deaths of several persons detained at a facility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The call was made in a statement issued by the Branch Chairman, Ibrahim Muhammad Ndamitso, who expressed profound sadness and concern over the incident, describing the loss of lives in custody as a matter of utmost seriousness.
Ndamitso said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, including the number and identities of the deceased and the immediate causes of their deaths, were yet to be conclusively established, but stressed that the reports raised serious concerns about the conditions under which the affected persons were detained.
He extended condolences to the families, relatives and loved ones of those who reportedly lost their lives, prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and strength for their bereaved families.
The NBA chairman stressed that deprivation of liberty does not remove a person’s fundamental human dignity, noting that persons in custody remain entitled to humane treatment and protection of their fundamental rights under the Constitution and other applicable laws.
He particularly emphasised the constitutional right to dignity of the human person, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, adding that authorities responsible for custodial facilities have a corresponding duty to protect the lives, health, safety and dignity of detainees.
The Minna Branch urged relevant authorities to establish the exact number and identities of those who died, as well as the condition and whereabouts of other persons detained at the facility, subject to legal and privacy safeguards.
It also demanded appropriate forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies where necessary, to establish the immediate and underlying causes of death.
Ndamitso further called for an investigation into the conditions at the facility, including ventilation, sanitation, food and water supply, medical attention, accommodation, security and the general welfare of detainees.
He said the investigation should also establish the legal basis for the arrest and detention of the affected persons, the duration of their detention and whether constitutional and statutory safeguards were observed.
The NBA called for the preservation of all relevant evidence, including custody registers, arrest and medical records, CCTV footage where available, officers’ duty records and other materials that could assist the investigation.
Ndamitso urged authorities to hold accountable, in accordance with the law, anyone found to have acted unlawfully, negligently or in breach of established custodial standards.
He also called for an immediate review of custodial facilities across Niger State to prevent a recurrence and urged authorities to ensure that the families of the deceased were treated with dignity, kept informed and provided with all lawful assistance required to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The NBA chairman cautioned against detaining anyone merely on the basis of a label or allegation, stressing that describing the affected persons as “illegal miners” could not, in itself, dispense with constitutional and statutory safeguards governing arrest, detention and the treatment of persons in custody.
He acknowledged the legitimate responsibility of law-enforcement and security agencies to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities in Niger State, but stressed that enforcement must be carried out within the limits of the Constitution and other applicable laws.
“The fight against crime cannot be divorced from the obligation to protect human life and dignity,” Ndamitso said.
He appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid actions capable of undermining the investigation or disrupting public order.
The Minna Branch chairman said the NBA remained ready, within the limits of its mandate, to support lawful efforts aimed at establishing the facts, protecting fundamental rights, securing justice for the deceased and their families, and ensuring appropriate remedial measures where necessary.
He reiterated that human life is sacred and that while liberty may lawfully be restrained, human dignity must never be extinguished.
