The Nigeria Diaspora Organizations and Community for Human Rights (NDOCHR) will stage a peaceful protest at the national headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Sauka, Abuja, tomorrow over the reported deaths of 37 miners in the corps’ custody in Niger State.

The group is demanding the immediate public release of the findings of the committee investigating the deaths, an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident and accountability for any officials found culpable.

It is also calling for the removal of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, arguing that his continued stay in office while the investigation is ongoing could undermine public confidence in the process.

In a protest notice dated October 20, 2026, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, NDOCHR said the planned demonstration was intended to demand transparency, justice and accountability over what it described as preventable deaths linked to security operations in Niger State.

The notice, a copy of which was obtained by this newspaper, was acknowledged by the office of the Inspector-General of Police, according to the document.

The letter, signed by the group’s convener, Abimbola Yetunde, accused the NSCDC leadership of failing to ensure accountability over the incident and called for decisive action to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.

NDOCHR rejected what it described as attempts to hold junior officers or state-level personnel solely responsible, insisting that investigations should examine the chain of command and establish responsibility at every level where evidence warrants it.

The organisation argued that the investigation must go beyond internal disciplinary measures to determine what happened to the miners, the circumstances of their deaths and whether any officials should face prosecution.

It also called for the independent prosecution of the Commandant-General and disclosed its intention to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over alleged serious human rights violations connected with the incident.

The group expressed concern over the delay in releasing the findings of the investigating committee, claiming that the panel had requested two weeks to conclude its work but that the period had elapsed without an adequate explanation.

It said Nigerians deserved full disclosure of the findings, adding that the authorities should explain the circumstances of the deaths and the steps being taken to ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable.

The organisation also questioned Audi’s continued leadership of the corps while the investigation remained ongoing, arguing that the situation raised concerns about the perceived independence and credibility of the process.

It maintained that an independent investigation, backed by the public release of the findings, would help establish the facts and demonstrate the authorities’ commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

NDOCHR said it had formally notified the police of the planned protest and requested adequate security for participants, stressing that the demonstration would be peaceful and conducted in accordance with the right to peaceful assembly.

The group said the protest formed part of its broader advocacy for human rights protection, transparency and accountability in public institutions.

It urged the authorities to treat the reported deaths as a matter of public concern and ensure that the investigation was conducted without interference.

As of the time of filing this report, the protest notice did not contain a response from the NSCDC leadership to the allegations and demands raised by the organisation.

The circumstances surrounding the reported deaths, as well as the findings of the investigating committee, could not be independently established from the information contained in the notice. (The Guardian)