Niger Tragedy: ACSGN Rejects Scapegoating, Calls for Justice for Miners

The Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria (ACSGN) has expressed concern over the scope and basis of the recommendations contained in the report of the Federal Government’s investigative panel into the deaths of 33 miners in Minna, Niger State, on September 16 and 17, 2026.

The group called on the Federal Government to ensure that the implementation of the panel’s recommendations is guided by fairness, transparency, accountability and due process, stressing that responsibility must be established through credible evidence rather than speculation or indiscriminate attribution of blame.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Convener, Comrade Wale Adegoke, and Secretary, Comrade Musa Abdullahi, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, ACSGN said the tragic incident had raised serious concerns about detention conditions, operational procedures, human rights protection and accountability within the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Reports on the panel’s findings attributed the deaths to factors including overcrowding, excessive heat, dehydration and inadequate detention conditions. The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was also reported to have received the panel’s report and pledged to implement its recommendations.

Among the reported recommendations are the payment of ₦1.4 billion in compensation to the families of the deceased miners and 44 survivors, as well as the dismissal of the former Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and other officers allegedly found directly responsible for the incident.

While acknowledging the importance of accountability and justice for the victims, ACSGN maintained that disciplinary actions must be based on established facts, the specific roles of the officers involved and the applicable administrative and legal procedures.

ACSGN Defends NSCDC National Leadership’s Institutional Reforms

The group acknowledged the institutional development efforts of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, particularly in the areas of professionalism, personnel development, operational capacity, discipline and institutional infrastructure.

According to ACSGN, these efforts deserve objective consideration in any assessment of the Corps’ overall performance.

The organisation, however, stressed that recognising the achievements of the national leadership should not diminish the seriousness of the Niger State incident or weaken calls for justice for the deceased miners and support for the survivors.

“An unfortunate incident involving a particular command should not automatically erase the institutional achievements recorded under the national leadership. Equally, no achievement should be used to shield any officer found to have acted unlawfully or negligently,” the statement said.

ACSGN urged the authorities to ensure that the investigation results in meaningful reforms, improved detention standards and stronger safeguards against the recurrence of similar tragedies.

The group also cautioned against the alleged circulation of misleading narratives on social media, warning that unverified claims and selective interpretations of the panel’s findings could unfairly damage the reputation of the Corps and its leadership.

Group Seeks Clear Distinction Between National and State Responsibilities

ACSGN identified the distinction between the supervisory responsibilities of the Commandant-General and the operational responsibilities of a State Commandant as a critical consideration in determining accountability.

It noted that while the Commandant-General provides national strategic direction, institutional supervision and policy leadership, State Commandants exercise operational authority within their respective commands, subject to applicable laws, regulations and directives.

The group argued that any investigation into the Niger State incident should establish who authorised the operation, who exercised direct control, which procedures were followed or violated, and whether any failure of supervision contributed to the deaths.

According to ACSGN, responsibility should be assigned based on the evidence and the actual duties of the individuals and offices concerned.

The organisation maintained that the head of a national agency should not automatically be held personally responsible for every operational failure at the state level without evidence establishing the nature and extent of that responsibility.

At the same time, it said any proven failure of oversight or institutional supervision must be addressed in accordance with the law.

Reported Absence of National Headquarters’ Approval Raises Questions

ACSGN expressed particular interest in the reported finding that the operation leading to the arrest and detention of the miners was conducted without an operational order or approval from the NSCDC national headquarters.

The group said the finding raised important questions about the origin of the operation, the chain of command and the level at which key operational decisions were taken.

It urged the relevant authorities and the public to distinguish between the panel’s established findings, its recommendations and interpretations subsequently circulated by interested parties.

According to the statement, the reported absence of authorisation or direct operational communication from the national headquarters is relevant to determining the responsibilities of the officers who planned, authorised and supervised the operation.

However, ACSGN emphasised that the full report must be carefully examined before definitive conclusions are drawn about individual or institutional responsibility.

The group also noted reports that the former Niger State Commandant had apologised over the incident and acknowledged shortcomings under his watch.

It said any such admission should be considered alongside the complete findings of the investigation, applicable regulations and the evidence presented.

“An apology may be relevant to an inquiry, but the final determination of culpability must rest on established facts, applicable rules and due process,” the statement added.

ACSGN Warns Against Scapegoating and Selective Accountability

The organisation expressed concern that the panel’s recommendations could become the subject of institutional or political controversy, potentially diverting attention from justice for the victims, assistance for survivors and measures to prevent future incidents.

ACSGN rejected both indiscriminate condemnation of the NSCDC national leadership and attempts to shield officers who may have violated established procedures.

It maintained that accountability must be pursued objectively, without political pressure, personal vendettas or prejudgment.

The group urged stakeholders to refrain from inflammatory statements and the circulation of unverified information that could undermine public confidence in the investigation.

It further stated that where evidence establishes wrongdoing, appropriate disciplinary measures should follow, while unsupported allegations should not be used to damage the reputation of public officers.

Group Calls for Fair Implementation of Panel’s Recommendations

ACSGN urged the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC leadership to ensure that the panel’s recommendations are implemented transparently and in accordance with the law.

The organisation called on the authorities to:

1. Make the findings clear: Communicate the panel’s conclusions and recommendations accurately to enable the public to distinguish established facts from speculation.

2. Establish individual responsibility: Identify the respective roles of the officers involved, the Niger State Command and the national headquarters, based on the evidence.

3. Uphold due process: Ensure that disciplinary actions are proportionate to the findings and consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

4. Provide justice for victims and survivors: Pursue any approved compensation through transparent and lawful procedures, ensuring that affected families and survivors receive the support to which they are entitled.

5. Strengthen operational safeguards: Review arrest, detention, supervision and detainee welfare procedures to prevent similar tragedies.

6. Protect institutional integrity: Ensure that accountability is not used to pursue personal vendettas, exert improper pressure or unjustifiably discredit public officers.

7. Improve professional standards: Sustain reforms in personnel training, discipline, operational efficiency and the protection of lives and property.

The group stressed that the NSCDC remains an important national security institution with responsibilities for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, supporting internal security and contributing to public safety.

It urged the Corps to use the lessons from the Niger State incident to strengthen internal controls, improve professional conduct and reinforce public confidence.

ACSGN Expresses Confidence in NSCDC National Management

ACSGN also noted reports of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reappointment of Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi for another four-year term, stating that the continued leadership of the Commandant-General should be assessed against measurable institutional performance, operational effectiveness and the Corps’ ability to fulfil its statutory responsibilities.

The group expressed confidence in the NSCDC national management, citing its assessment of the leadership’s institutional development efforts and the need for a fair distinction between individual operational responsibility and wider supervisory accountability.

It clarified that its position should not be interpreted as a rejection of accountability or a disregard for the suffering of the deceased miners’ families and survivors.

Rather, ACSGN said it believes that justice, institutional integrity and responsible leadership can be pursued together through transparent investigations, evidence-based decisions and continuous improvement.

The organisation urged the Federal Government and NSCDC management to ensure that the tragedy leads to stronger operational safeguards, better detention conditions, improved accountability and renewed public confidence in the Corps.