The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has called for the dismissal and prosecution of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel found responsible for the deaths of detainees held at a facility in Minna, Niger State.
The council made the demand on Wednesday, October 28, during a press conference in Abuja following the release of an independent committee’s findings into the incident, which was initially reported to have claimed 37 lives. The committee subsequently verified 33 deaths and identified 41 survivors. <Cite refs={[“turn347740view0″,”turn347740search0”]}/>
In its response to the investigation, the NCSCN welcomed the suspension of 21 NSCDC officers linked to the incident but insisted that those found culpable should face appropriate disciplinary and legal action.
The council, through its Executive Director, Ambassador Blessing A. Akinlosotu, described the detention conditions as unacceptable, citing overcrowding, inadequate ventilation and deficiencies in custodial management.
It said the incident raised serious concerns about the protection of human rights and the standards maintained in detention facilities operated by security agencies.
Council calls for better funding
Beyond individual accountability, the NCSCN attributed the incident partly to inadequate funding and poor infrastructure within security agencies.
It argued that the NSCDC has extensive responsibilities, including protecting lives and property, combating illegal mining, securing critical national assets and supporting emergency response operations.
The council questioned how effectively these duties could be performed without sufficient funding, modern equipment and suitable detention facilities.
It therefore urged the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocations for security agencies and establish a special intervention fund to rehabilitate and modernise detention centres across the country.
The proposed measures include constructing safer detention facilities, improving ventilation, installing modern surveillance systems, providing operational vehicles and communication equipment, and strengthening personnel training.
The council also called for improved instruction in human rights and custodial management to reduce the risk of unlawful detention and abuse.
NCSCN backs NSCDC commandant-general
The council maintained that the findings, as it interpreted them, did not implicate NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Abubakar Audi in the incident.
It argued that the committee’s report indicated that the operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas were conducted without an approved operational order or the knowledge and authorisation of the Corps’ national headquarters.
The NCSCN cautioned against using the incident to condemn the entire organisation or assign responsibility to officials who had not been found culpable.
It insisted that disciplinary measures should be based on the investigation’s findings and the established chain of responsibility.
Calls for speedy prosecution and detention reforms
The council further urged relevant authorities to ensure that suspects are brought before competent courts without unnecessary delays and that detention practices comply with constitutional protections and due process.
It also proposed declaring a national emergency on detention facilities and correctional centres to accelerate improvements in infrastructure and oversight.
The independent committee’s investigation identified severe overcrowding, poor ventilation, heat stress and dehydration among the factors contributing to the deaths. It recommended prosecution of officers found responsible, compensation for affected families and survivors, and wider reforms within the NSCDC. <Cite refs={[“turn347740search0″,”turn347740search2”]}/>
The NCSCN urged the Federal Government to implement the committee’s recommendations, saying the incident should lead to stronger accountability, improved detention standards and greater protection of the rights and dignity of people in custody.
