MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)
هيئة حقوق المسلمين
Motto: Dialogue,
Not Violence
20th September 2026
PRESS RELEASE:
MINERS' DEATH: MURIC
DEMANDS JUSTICE, COMPENSATION; CALLS FOR THE COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF OPERATIONAL
AND CUSTODIAL PRACTICES OF NSCDC
A faith-based civil liberties organization, the Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC) has demanded justice and compensation for the family of the 37
artisenal miners who died in mysterious circumstances while under the custody
of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Niger State
Command.
The custodial death of the 37 teenagers occurred
following a targeted raid against illegal mining activities between September
15 and 16 and about 67 suspects were placed in NSCDC custody. Out of this
number, 37 were found dead on the morning of September 17,2026.
The death of such large number of suspects while under the custody
of the NSCDC has sparked immense public outrage and widespread condemnation
across Nigeria, compelling MURIC to demand for justice and adequate
compensation for the bereaved families.
In a press release issued on Sunday, 20th September, 2026, the
Kano State Chairman who doubles as the coordinator of the group in the 19
northern states and Abuja, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, acknowledged the anguish
and trauma which the parents and relatives of the deceased teenagers were
facing.
"On the morning of September 17, 2026, MURIC
received with shock the news of unfortunate death of 37 artisenal miners,
largely teenagers, while in a crowded cell in Minna, Niger State command of the
NSCDC paramilitary force."
"The suspects were alleged to have been jammed
together under severely inhumane conditions, with poor ventilation and
excessive heat."
"Sadly enough, some of the survivors disclosed
the complaint they had made of the cell being too small and the excessive heat,
all to the deaf ears of the NSCDC staff on duty even after raising an alarm
about some of them dying. One survivor alleged an unidentified substance was
sprayed into the packed cell."
If found to be true, MURIC
views this as grossly unprofessional, insensitive, callous and malevolent.
"This is quite in contradiction to the constitutional
protection of individuals under law enforcement custody while expected to
retain their fundamental rights including the rights to life and dignity as
enshrined in our statutes and international human rights treaties."
"MURIC notes with
alarm the increasing scandal and implication, across the country, of some NSCDC
operatives in human rights abuses; illegal arrests and prolonged detention,
extortion, harassment and intimidation of civilians, improper custodial operations
and disgraceful conduct."
The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria strictly prohibits
the torture of any detainee under Section 34(1), which guarantees every
individual the right to respect for the dignity of their person and states that
no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.
Article 5 of the United Nations Universal Declaration
of Human Rights also states, 'No one shall be subjected to torture or to
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’.
"In the case of the recent incident in Minna, Niger State,
MURIC commends the swift and proactive role played by the Niger State
Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman mnips." We equally
salute the state DSS and the Niger State Government for their
proactiveness.
In the same
vein, we doff our hats to the Federal Government for constituting a 10-member
independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of
the 37 miners. The independent committee was also mandated to find out the
truth of an alleged shooting of some enraged protesters by the security forces
attempting to enforce curfew which the Niger State Government had declared in
order to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
"In view of
the above, therefore, MURIC hereby demands justice for the deceased and
adequate compensation for their bereaved parents and relatives in order to
serve as a lesson to others who abuse power."
"Finally, MURIC calls for the complete
overhaul of the operational and custodial practices of the NSCDC nationwide to
avert public apathy and distrust against the security agency."
Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa,
Chairman, Kano State Chapter/Coordinator Northern States and
Abuja,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
