Civil society organisations, CSOs, in Niger State have urged political parties and their supporters to stop politicising the deaths of 37 artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
The groups said the deaths should be treated primarily as a human rights, accountability and justice issue, rather than an opportunity for political point-scoring.
The position was contained in a joint statement signed by the Open Government Partnership Non-State Actors Niger State, Coalition of Civil Society Niger State, Resource Justice Network Niger State Chapter, Society for Peace Studies and Practice Niger State Chapter, and Open Alliance Niger State.
The organisations said the deaths had triggered grief and tension across the state, warning political actors against what they described as the “weaponisation” of the tragedy.
They maintained that the identity of those responsible, the circumstances surrounding the deaths and any institutional failures must be established through credible investigations.
According to the groups, the demand for justice must remain focused on determining what happened, securing accountability, protecting the rights of the deceased and their families, and preventing a recurrence.
They urged political parties and other actors to support the Judicial Commission of Inquiry by encouraging witnesses, survivors, families and members of the public with relevant information to submit credible memoranda to the panel.
The groups also cautioned against political interference and premature media trials, saying the formal investigative processes should be allowed to establish the facts.
They called for adequate protection and support for survivors, eyewitnesses and families who may possess information about the conditions in the NSCDC facility, including allegations of overcrowding and inadequate ventilation.
Beyond the deaths, the organisations urged authorities to address the underlying conditions driving young people into artisanal mining.
They identified poverty, hunger and limited livelihood opportunities as factors contributing to the involvement of young people in unsafe and unregulated mining activities.
The groups called for safe and regulated community-based solid mineral governance that would protect lives while allowing mining communities to benefit from their local resources.
They also commended Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his response to the incident, including the inauguration of a nine-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry and declaration of three days of mourning.
The organisations stated that the findings of the state inquiry and the ongoing federal investigation should translate into concrete reforms, particularly in detention facilities and procedures for handling suspects.
They further said the deaths of the ‘Minna 37’ should become a catalyst for justice, accountability and institutional reform, rather than deepen partisan divisions in Niger State.
