Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Attorney-General of Niger State, Nasiru Mu’azu, to ensure the speedy investigation and prosecution of those found responsible for the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna.
Falana made the call in a statement on Saturday, urging the Attorney-General to direct the state police command to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone indicted is prosecuted by the state Ministry of Justice.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, after scores of people arrested during raids on suspected illegal mining sites were taken to an NSCDC detention facility in Minna.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident and suspended officers linked to the deaths pending the outcome of the probe.
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, also confirmed the deaths and said forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies, were being conducted to determine the cause.
The incident has sparked protests in Minna, while reports indicated that some of the detainees were teenagers. Survivors and relatives have also raised concerns about overcrowding and poor ventilation at the facility, although authorities have yet to establish a definitive cause of death.
Falana said the NSCDC had confirmed that more than 50 people were arrested over alleged illegal mining, with profiling and documentation still ongoing.
He said the deaths highlighted longstanding concerns about the treatment of suspects in detention facilities across the country and urged authorities to establish individual responsibility for the Niger incident rather than allowing the matter to end with administrative sanctions.
Falana recalled a 1980 incident in which about 50 criminal suspects reportedly died after being locked inside a police transport van, popularly known as a “Black Maria,” at the premises of the Tinubu Magistrate Court in Lagos.
He said overcrowding and poor conditions in detention facilities had continued to expose suspects to serious risks despite previous incidents.
“The best way to honour the 37 suspects that were suffocated to death last week is to ensure that detention centres in the country meet the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules,” he said.
The Nelson Mandela Rules set minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, including provisions on accommodation, sanitation, ventilation, healthcare and humane treatment.
Falana also called on the Attorney-General of Ondo State, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, to prosecute those allegedly responsible for the mass poisoning that has killed 48 people in the state.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control said 182 cases had been recorded as of September 17 following the reported consumption of locally prepared alcoholic and herbal concoctions in parts of Ondo State.
NAFDAC said five victims had become totally blind while two others suffered partial blindness. Preliminary laboratory analysis also detected high concentrations of methanol in samples of the suspected beverages.
The affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele, Orita Odigbo, Araromi-Obu and Oniparaga, with Odigbo Town and Araromi-Obu recording the highest number of cases. Cases were also reported in Irele Local Government Area.
According to NAFDAC, 15 people had been arrested in connection with the production, sale and distribution of the suspected toxic drinks, while investigations and surveillance were continuing.
Falana urged Ajulo to take over the case and ensure the prosecution of suspects found responsible for the deaths.
He said the incidents in Niger and Ondo reinforced the need for authorities to pursue accountability whenever investigations establish criminal responsibility in cases involving multiple deaths.
