Niger miners tragedy: MURIC demands overhaul of NSCDC operations, compensation for victims
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is urging the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to implement significant reforms within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In a statement dated Sunday and signed by Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, the coordinator for the Northern States and Abuja, the organization called for justice and compensation for the families of 37 artisanal miners who reportedly died under questionable circumstances while in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
Indabawa characterized the incident as tragic. He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution, specifically Section 34(1), prohibits the torture of detainees, highlighting the need for accountability in this case.
“The fatalities occurred on the morning of September 17, 2026, when MURIC learned of the deaths of 37 artisanal miners, many of whom were teenagers, in a crowded cell at the Minna Command of the NSCDC,” he stated. “These individuals were allegedly confined under severely inhumane conditions marked by poor ventilation and excessive heat.”
MURIC is demanding justice for the deceased and adequate compensation for their grieving families to serve as a deterrent against the abuse of power. Additionally, the organization is advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of the NSCDC’s operational procedures to restore public trust in the agency.
