Coalition defends NSCDC chief over Minna deaths

Rejects calls for Audi’s removal, urges probe to run its course

The Centre for Justice for Common Nigeria, under the Coalition of Nigerian Civil Society Organisations, has rejected calls for the removal of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody in Minna, Niger State.

The coalition, in a statement responding to a call by lawyer and human rights activist Hamza N. Dantani for the termination of Audi’s tenure, described the demand as premature and argued that responsibility should be established through investigation and due process rather than public pressure.

It said the deaths were a grave matter that required justice for the deceased and their families, but argued that accountability should be based on evidence identifying those directly responsible for the incident.

The coalition maintained that Audi did not order the enforcement operation, was not present during the arrests and, according to its account, had no prior knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The suspects were arrested during NSCDC operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026. The Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, was subsequently suspended pending investigation.

According to the coalition, the operations were carried out under the Niger State Command and should therefore not automatically be attributed to the national leadership of the Corps.

It argued that the NSCDC operates through a hierarchical command structure in which state commands have responsibility for day-to-day enforcement operations within their jurisdictions.

The coalition also said Audi responded to the incident by ordering an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

It noted that the Federal Government has since taken additional steps, including suspending 20 other NSCDC personnel linked to the incident and constituting a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths and determine responsibility.

The committee, constituted by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation, has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.

The coalition said the investigative process should be allowed to establish whether there were acts of negligence, misconduct or other violations and identify those responsible before sanctions are imposed.

It also argued that removing Audi before the conclusion of the investigation could amount to prejudging the matter.

The coalition invoked the principle of presumption of innocence, saying that a public official should not be treated as personally culpable merely because a serious incident occurred within an institution under his leadership.

It said no evidence had been presented linking Audi personally to the deaths or showing that he ordered, authorised or had prior knowledge of any unlawful conduct relating to the detainees.

The group further argued that accountability should follow the chain of responsibility and be directed at individuals whose actions or omissions are established by evidence to have contributed to the incident.

It listed the suspension of the Niger State commandant and other personnel, the Federal Government’s independent investigation and separate investigative efforts by security agencies as evidence that accountability mechanisms were already in motion.

The coalition warned against what it described as scapegoating senior officials before facts had been established.

It said the priority should be to determine what happened to the detainees, establish the causes of death and identify anyone whose conduct contributed to the tragedy.

The coalition also called on the Federal Government to ensure that the 10-member committee operates independently and that its findings are made public.

It urged the NSCDC leadership to cooperate fully with the investigation and implement any reforms required to prevent a recurrence.

The group appealed to activists and other stakeholders to focus on ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation rather than demanding the removal of officials before the process is concluded.

The deaths have generated public outrage and prompted protests in Minna, with the Federal Government suspending personnel and ordering an independent investigation. The actual circumstances and causes of the deaths remain subject to investigation.

The coalition said the families of the deceased deserved answers and justice, but maintained that those found responsible should be sanctioned on the basis of evidence and due process.

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