NSCDC CUSTODY DEATHS: DR. SHINKAFI CONDEMNS ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE, DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR 37 VICTIMS
PRESS STATEMENT
The President of African Conflict Resolution and Prevention, Dr. Suleiman Shu'aibu Shinkafi, has strongly condemned the alleged careless attitude of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in its custody, while several others are currently hospitalized.
In a statement issued and made available to journalists in Kaduna, Dr. Suleiman Shu'aibu Shinkafi alleged that over seventy victims were unlawfully arrested and detained inside a tiny cell at the NSCDC facility, where 37 of them met their untimely death due to suffocation.
Describing the incident as unacceptable and heartbreaking, the human rights activist said, "Enough is enough of the killing of innocent northerners who are only struggling to earn their daily bread."
Dr. Shinkafi further stated that Nigerian law does not empower the NSCDC to arrest illegal miners in the manner described. He accused the Minister of Solid Minerals, Chief Henry Dele Alake of creating a so-called Forest Guard for what he described as the selfish interest of the administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Consequently, Dr. Shinkafi called, as a matter of urgency, for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Hon. Dele Alake, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC and the State Commandant of the Corps in the affected state.
He also demanded that they be arrested after their resignation to face a thorough investigation by an independent panel.
He assured that the coalition of civil society organizations will not fold its arms until justice is served for the families of the victims.
Dr. Suleiman Shu'aibu Shinkafi further demanded that the Federal Government should pay adequate compensation (Diyya) to the families of the deceased victims and ensure proper medical care for those hospitalized.
According to him, the incident is an indication of a total failure of the security architecture and calls into question the commitment of the current administration to the protection of lives.
He concluded by calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to institute a high-powered judicial commission of inquiry into the incident to unravel the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Signed:
Dr. Suleiman Shu'aibu Shinkafi
President, African Conflict Resolution and Prevention