‘Crime against humanity’ — Adeyanju condemns deaths of 37 alleged miners

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Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has condemned the deaths of 37 suspected miners, including alleged minors, in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

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Adeyanju described the incident as a “crime against humanity” and called for the swift prosecution of anyone found responsible.

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“This is a crime against humanity and perpetrators must face prosecution swiftly. It is unacceptable that people in State custody should die in such circumstances,” he said.

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He also questioned the reported claim that the 37 people died from a disease outbreak, saying the explanation should not be accepted without an independent investigation.

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“The claim that 37 persons died from a disease outbreak must not be accepted without a credible, independent and transparent investigation.

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“What happened when people first began falling ill? What medical attention did they receive? Where is the evidence?” he asked.

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Adeyanju said anyone found to have contributed to the deaths through unlawful acts, torture, deliberate mistreatment or criminal negligence should be held accountable.

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“Those responsible for this senseless killing of Nigerians, whether through unlawful acts, torture, deliberate mistreatment or criminal negligence, must be held accountable,” he said.

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He described the incident as “a truly sad day for Nigeria.”

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Meanwhile, the Federal Government has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, over the deaths.

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The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered Aniviye’s immediate suspension following the reported deaths of suspected illegal miners in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna.

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The ministry disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde.

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According to the statement, the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday after the suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations conducted in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

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Tunji-Ojo described the incident as unfortunate and ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

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“It is an unfortunate incident, however, a full scale investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended.”

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The minister added: “We run a government whose ultimate priority is security of lives and we have worked to stay true to this.”

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