The Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria (ACSGN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in implementing the recommendations of the investigative panel into the deaths of 33 miners in Minna, Niger State.
The miners reportedly died on September 16 and 17, 2026, in an incident that has raised concerns about detention conditions, operational procedures and human rights protection within the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and jointly signed by its National Convener, Comrade Wale Adegoke, and Secretary, Comrade Musa Abdullahi, the group said responsibility for the tragedy must be determined through credible evidence and due process rather than speculation or indiscriminate attribution of blame.
ACSGN said reports of the investigative panel’s findings identified overcrowding, excessive heat, dehydration and inadequate detention conditions among the factors associated with the deaths.
The group also noted reports that the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had 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 NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and other officers allegedly found directly responsible for the incident.
ACSGN acknowledged the need for justice for the victims and their families but maintained that disciplinary measures must be based on established facts, the specific responsibilities of the officers involved and applicable legal and administrative procedures.
ACSGN Calls for Evidence-Based Accountability
The civil society group stressed that accountability should be pursued without political pressure, personal vendettas or attempts to shield public officers from the consequences of proven misconduct.
According to ACSGN, the investigation 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.
The organisation argued that the responsibilities of the NSCDC national headquarters and the Niger State Command must be clearly distinguished when determining individual and institutional accountability.
It noted that the Commandant-General provides national strategic direction, policy leadership and institutional supervision, while State Commandants exercise operational authority within their respective commands, subject to applicable laws, regulations and directives.
The group said the Commandant-General should not automatically be held personally responsible for every operational failure at the state level without evidence establishing the nature and extent of the individual’s responsibility.
However, it added that any proven failure of institutional oversight must also be addressed in accordance with the law.
Reported Lack of Headquarters’ Approval Raises Questions
ACSGN expressed concern over reports 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.
It said the reported absence of authorisation raised important questions about the origin of the operation, the chain of command and the officers who planned, authorised and supervised the exercise.
The organisation urged the authorities to make a clear distinction between the panel’s established findings, its recommendations and interpretations subsequently circulated by interested parties.
It also called for a careful examination of the full report before definitive conclusions are drawn about individual or institutional responsibility.
ACSGN further noted reports that the former Niger State Commandant had apologised over the incident and acknowledged shortcomings under his watch.
The group said any such admission should be considered alongside the full investigation findings, the applicable regulations and other available evidence.
It maintained that an apology could be relevant to the inquiry but should not replace a formal determination of culpability based on facts and due process.
Group Acknowledges NSCDC Institutional Reforms
The organisation acknowledged the institutional development efforts of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, particularly in personnel development, professionalism, operational capacity, discipline and infrastructure.
ACSGN said these efforts should be considered objectively when assessing the Corps’ overall performance.
However, it stressed that recognising institutional achievements must not diminish the seriousness of the Niger State incident or weaken demands for justice for the deceased miners and support for 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.
The group urged the NSCDC to use the incident as an opportunity to strengthen internal controls, improve detention standards and reinforce safeguards against human rights violations.
It also cautioned against the circulation of misleading narratives and unverified claims on social media, noting that selective interpretations of the panel’s findings could unfairly damage the reputation of the Corps and its leadership.
ACSGN Warns Against Selective Accountability
ACSGN expressed concern that the panel’s recommendations could become the subject of institutional or political controversy, diverting attention from justice for the victims, assistance for survivors and measures to prevent similar tragedies.
The group rejected both indiscriminate condemnation of the NSCDC national leadership and attempts to protect officers who may have violated established procedures.
It called on stakeholders to avoid inflammatory statements and unverified allegations capable of undermining public confidence in the investigation.
According to the organisation, where evidence establishes wrongdoing, appropriate disciplinary measures should follow. However, allegations that have not been substantiated should not be used to damage the reputation of public officers.
The group maintained that transparency, impartiality and evidence-based decisions are essential to ensuring public confidence in the investigation and its outcome.
Group Outlines Measures for Implementing Panel’s Recommendations
ACSGN called on 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 urged the authorities to clarify the panel’s findings, establish the individual responsibilities of the officers involved and ensure that disciplinary actions are proportionate to the evidence.
It also called for the transparent processing of any approved compensation for the affected families and survivors, alongside measures to improve arrest procedures, detention conditions, operational supervision and detainee welfare.
The group further urged the Corps to sustain reforms in personnel training, discipline, operational efficiency and the protection of lives and property.
ACSGN described the NSCDC as an important national security institution with responsibilities that include protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, supporting internal security and contributing to public safety.
It said the lessons from the Niger State incident should lead to stronger operational safeguards, improved professional standards and renewed public confidence in the Corps.
ACSGN Expresses Confidence in NSCDC National Management
The organisation also referred to reports of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reappointment of Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi for another four-year term.
ACSGN said the national leadership 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 importance of distinguishing individual operational responsibility from wider supervisory accountability.
It clarified that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to accountability or disregard for the suffering of the deceased miners’ families and survivors.
Rather, ACSGN said justice, institutional integrity and responsible leadership could be pursued together through transparent investigations, evidence-based decisions and continuous institutional improvement.
The organisation urged the Federal Government and NSCDC management to ensure that the tragedy results in improved detention conditions, stronger accountability mechanisms and measures to prevent a recurrence.
