By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the deaths of about 37 persons suspected to be artisanal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The commission has ordered a preliminary investigation into the incident and called for an independent forensic autopsy to determine the cause of the deaths.
Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Professor Tony Ojukwu, SAN, in a statement on Friday, signed on his behalf by Mrs Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, said all evidence relating to the deaths must be preserved, while investigations ordered by the Minister of Interior and the NSCDC must be transparent, thorough and conducted in line with international standards for investigating potentially unlawful deaths in custody.
Ojukwu, expressed deep concern over the incident, which occurred after the suspected miners were arrested during enforcement operations in the Wushishi-Lukoto area of Niger State on September 15 and 16. Their bodies were later deposited at the General Hospital, Minna.
He said the commission commiserated with the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State, adding that the NHRC would work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The NHRC boss stressed that allegations of illegal mining could not override the constitutional rights of persons in custody.
“Citizens who are arrested on suspicion by law enforcement agents are by law expected to enjoy the full compliment of their fundamental human right in accordance with national and international human rights instruments,” the learned Silk said.
He urged law enforcement agencies to ensure that everyone in custody is treated with dignity and in accordance with the law.
Ojukwu also appealed to youths in Minna to remain calm and refrain from violence, assuring them that the commission would pursue accountability and ensure appropriate remedies where human rights violations are established.