By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Save Nigeria Group USA (SNG-USA) has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

In a statement dated September 18, 2026, signed by SNG-USA President Stephen Osemwegie, Media Director Victor Onyeka-Ben and Public Relations Director Autumn Miller, the group express’d concern over the deaths and called for accountability while stressing that the circumstances surrounding the tragedy must be established through credible evidence.

According to the group, the victims were among persons arrested during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis between September 15 and 16, before they were reportedly found dead in custody in the early hours of September 17.

SNG-USA said the exact cause of death remained under investigation, noting that while the NSCDC initially cited a suspected disease outbreak, survivor accounts and media reports had raised concerns about overcrowding, poor ventilation and other detention conditions.

“A criminal allegation must never become a death sentence,” the organisation stated, stressing that every person in state custody was entitled to humane treatment, due process and protection of life.

It added that if negligence, abuse, unlawful detention practices, excessive overcrowding, extortion or other misconduct contributed to the deaths, those responsible should be identified and held accountable through due process.

SNG-USA acknowledged the suspension of Niger State NSCDC Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye pending investigation, as well as the establishment of a state-level committee and the Federal Government’s directive for a full investigation.

However, the organisation said the scale of the deaths required a probe that was sufficiently independent and credible, with the participation of independent medical experts, human-rights and civil-society representatives, alongside appropriate judicial oversight.

“The investigation should include independent medical experts, relevant human-rights and civil-society representatives, and appropriate judicial oversight. Its findings should be made public,” it said.

The group also called for credible forensic and medical examinations to establish the exact cause and circumstances of each death, insisting that conflicting accounts should be resolved through evidence rather than speculation or institutional protection.

It further demanded prosecution of any officer, official, custodian, contractor or other individual found to have committed a criminal offence, acted with gross negligence, abused detainees, engaged in extortion or otherwise unlawfully contributed to the deaths.

Beyond the Minna incident, SNG-USA called for an urgent nationwide audit of NSCDC, police, correctional and other custodial facilities, with particular attention to overcrowding, ventilation, sanitation, medical care, detainee registration, access to legal counsel and emergency-response procedures.

“No detention facility should hold people under conditions that place their lives at foreseeable risk,” the group stated.

SNG-USA also expressed concern over reports of protests in Minna following the deaths, saying citizens had legitimate rights to peaceful assembly, expression and demands for accountability.

The organisation, however, said reports concerning the use of force by security personnel during the unrest should also be independently examined, particularly any use of firearms or potentially lethal force.

It urged security commanders to exercise restraint and distinguish peaceful protesters from individuals involved in violence or destruction of property.

“The response to citizens demanding answers for the deaths of their loved ones must not result in additional loss of life,” SNG-USA said.

The group appealed to residents of Niger State, affected families, youth, mining communities, community leaders and civil-society organisations to remain calm and pursue accountability through peaceful and lawful means.

It also condemned attacks on security personnel and destruction of public or private property, while maintaining that peaceful citizens should not be prevented from demanding answers and accountability.

On illegal mining, SNG-USA acknowledged the government’s responsibility to protect Nigeria’s natural resources and tackle unlawful mining activities but said enforcement must be carried out within the law and with respect for human rights.

“Enforcement efforts, however, must be conducted within the law and with full respect for human rights and the dignity of every person,” the organisation stated.

SNG-USA said it stood with the families of the 37 deceased Nigerians and would continue to monitor developments while engaging civil-society, human-rights, government and international stakeholders on transparency, accountability and justice.

“The Nigerian people deserve answers. The families deserve the truth. And every person entrusted to the custody of the state deserves protection of their life and dignity,” the group said.