APM condemns death of 37 in NSCDC custody, demands transparent probe

n n

The Allied Peoples Movement has condemned the reported death of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State, demanding an expeditious, open and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

n

APM, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, on Saturday, also condemned the reported use of ammunition and tear gas by security agencies against protesters who took to the streets following the deaths, warning that such actions could result in further fatalities.

n

Thirty-seven suspected illegal miners arrested in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages in Niger State have died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

n

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Suberu Aniviye, disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspects were arrested during separate operations conducted on September 15 and 16.

n

Reacting, the APM described the deaths as avoidable and expressed concern over reports that 66 detainees were confined in a single cell under allegedly inhumane conditions.

n

The party stated, “The avoidable death of these citizens who were reportedly detained in very inhuman conditions in a government facility is yet another sad episode which further spotlights the level of inconsequentiality the All Progressives Congress administration attaches to human lives.

n

“The claims by the authorities that the victims were alleged illegal miners and that they died as a result of suspected outbreak of disease in the cell does not justify the mortalities. It only validates reports of inhuman conditions under which they were detained for over two days.

n

“It is unimaginable that sixty-six persons were cramped into a cell where 37 of them died of excessive heat and after being reportedly sprayed with a yet to be identified substance.

n

“Indeed, this is not the Nigeria we dream of. While thousands of our citizens who fell victims to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and armed robbers suffer brutality in the hands of their captors, it is unthinkable that Nigerians could be subjected to such acts of dehumanisation by an agency of the APC-led Federal Government.”

n

The APM called for a swift and transparent probe into the deaths and the alleged use of ammunition against protesters.

n

It continued, “This is why our nation needs a reset. The lives of citizens must be treated with dignity as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The death of citizens in detention facilities cannot be justified under any guise.

n

“The APM therefore demands for an expeditious, open, transparent and unrestricted probe into this horrible incident, particularly the circumstances surrounding the death of the suspects in the APC-controlled agency and the use of ammunition on protesters.

n

“While sympathising with the families of the victims and the people of Niger State, the APM urges Nigerians to remain calm as we await the outcome of the probe.”

n n