Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria Commend NSCDC Leadership Over Response to Death of Illegal Miners in Niger State
The Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria (ACSN) has expressed its concern over the unfortunate death of illegal miners recently arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
There is enough blame to go around when it comes to the persistent challenge of illegal mining and its associated criminal activities in Nigeria over the years. The arrest of illegal miners by security agencies is not unusual, given the enormous security and economic consequences of illegal mining across the country.
What is, however, deeply concerning and unusual in this particular case is the reported death in custody of 37 of the illegal miners arrested in Niger State, an incident that demands a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.
We commend the prompt response of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Audi, and the leadership of the Corps in handling the unfortunate incident. The steps taken so far demonstrate a commitment to transparency, accountability and institutional responsibility.
The decision to suspend the Niger State Commandant of the Corps under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred is, in our view, a necessary administrative step to facilitate an unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. It is important that anyone found culpable, whether through negligence, dereliction of duty or any other form of misconduct, should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The timely intervention of the Commandant General demonstrates a new sense of order, discipline and accountability within the Corps. It sends a clear message that no officer, irrespective of rank or position, should compromise professional standards or neglect official responsibilities without consequences.
It is also important to acknowledge that, under the leadership of CG Ahmed Audi, significant efforts have been made to strengthen the operational capacity of the NSCDC across the country. In Niger State, for instance, the Corps recently facilitated the provision of a new headquarters for the state command to improve operational effectiveness, efficiency and productivity.
This initiative underscores the seriousness with which the present NSCDC leadership is approaching the professional repositioning of the Corps and the improvement of working conditions for its personnel nationwide.
The Executive Governor of Niger State, Farmer Umaru Bago, also disclosed that the illegal miners were arrested around the urban settlement of General Muhammadu Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, the state capital. This clarification is significant because it differs from earlier reports and speculation suggesting that the miners were arrested in a forest location.
The circumstances surrounding illegal mining in Niger State and other parts of the country deserve a broader examination. Without the cooperation, facilitation or possible connivance of certain individuals and networks, it would be difficult for illegal mining activities to continue on the scale witnessed across Niger State and other parts of the country.
The illegal mining challenge bears similarities to the persistent problem of illegal bunkering and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. Over the years, security and law-enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the NSCDC, have undertaken operations against various forms of illegal economic activities.
It is therefore unfortunate when an incident involving the death of illegal miners is reduced to political rhetoric or exploited for partisan purposes. The death of human beings is a serious matter that deserves compassion, responsibility and a commitment to uncovering the truth. It should not become an avenue for political grandstanding or the pursuit of cheap political relevance.
We are equally concerned about attempts to overlook the broader efforts being made by the Federal Government to address illegal mining and regulate the mining sector. The establishment and deployment of Mining Marshals is part of the government’s broader response to the challenge of illegal mining and an effort to bring greater order, accountability and legitimacy to the mining industry.
While every allegation surrounding the Niger State incident must be properly investigated, those making public accusations should equally allow the relevant investigative authorities to establish the facts. Premature conclusions and politically charged narratives could undermine the integrity of the investigation and distract from the need to determine exactly what happened.
We therefore call on all stakeholders, including civil society organisations, political actors, traditional institutions, security agencies and members of the public, to allow the investigative process to run its course. Any officer or individual found to have acted negligently or unlawfully should face appropriate disciplinary or legal consequences.
The ACSN strongly supports the committee empanelled by the Federal Government to investigate the incident and welcomes the directive issued by the Commandant General to officers and men of the Corps to remain professional, disciplined and accountable in the discharge of their duties.
We also commend the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC for their respective efforts in responding to the incident and addressing the broader challenges associated with illegal mining and national security.
The lesson from the Niger State incident must be clear: every life matters, every public officer must be accountable, and every security institution must operate within the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility.
The ACSN therefore urges the NSCDC leadership to remain focused on institutional reforms, strengthen internal accountability mechanisms and ensure that the outcome of the investigation is made known to the Nigerian public in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
Signed:
Com Wale Adegoke,Convener
Com Musa Abdullahi, Secretary
Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria (ACSN).