The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for an independent investigation into the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, made the call in a statement on Friday, September 18, urging authorities to conduct an independent forensic autopsy and preserve all evidence relating to the deaths.
Ojukwu said the investigations ordered by the Interior Minister and the NSCDC must be transparent, thorough and conducted in line with international standards for investigating potentially unlawful deaths in custody.
He stressed that being suspected of illegal mining did not remove the constitutional rights of those arrested. According to him, law enforcement agencies are required to treat persons in custody with dignity and respect their fundamental rights under national and international human rights instruments.
The NHRC executive secretary also appealed to youths in Minna to remain calm and avoid violence, assuring that the commission would pursue accountability and appropriate remedies if human rights violations were established.
The suspected miners were reportedly arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State on Tuesday and Wednesday before their deaths in NSCDC custody.
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