28th October,2026
The Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria (ACSGN) has taken note of the recently submitted report of the Federal Government’s investigative panel, chaired by Mr. Jonathan Kure, alongside various reports circulating on social media concerning the deaths of 33 illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, on September 16 and 17, 2026.
The unfortunate incident, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 33 detainees, has raised serious concerns about detention conditions, operational procedures, the protection of human rights and accountability within the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other sister agencies. According to reports on the panel’s findings, the deaths were attributed to factors including overcrowding, extreme heat, dehydration and inadequate detention conditions.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, reportedly received the panel’s report and pledged to implement its recommendations to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
Among the reported recommendations are the payment of ₦1.4 billion in compensation to the families of the 33 deceased miners and 44 survivors, as well as the summary dismissal of the former Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and other officers found to have been directly involved in the detention and eventual deaths of the miners.
While the Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria (ACSGN), recognises the importance of accountability, justice and institutional discipline, we believe that the implementation of the panel’s recommendations must be guided by fairness, established administrative procedures, due process and a clear understanding of the responsibilities of the officers concerned.
THE COMMANDANT-GENERAL’S LEADERSHIP AND TRANSFORMATIONAL STRIDES
As an organisation committed to accountability, transparency, justice and good governance in public service, ACSGN wishes to state that the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has made significant contributions to the repositioning, rebranding and institutional development of the Corps since assuming office.
His leadership has been associated with efforts to strengthen professionalism, improve personnel development, enhance operational capacity, promote discipline and raise the morale of officers and men of the Corps. These efforts, in our assessment, deserve objective recognition and should be considered fairly in any evaluation of the organisation’s overall performance.
The development of infrastructure, improvements in personnel capacity and the promotion of institutional discipline are important elements of effective leadership. They should neither be ignored nor dismissed because of an unfortunate incident involving officers operating at a particular command.
We emphasise, however, that recognising the achievements of the national leadership does not diminish the gravity of the deaths in Niger State. The lives lost demand a thorough investigation, appropriate accountability for those found culpable and effective measures to prevent a recurrence but we are not unmindful of the activities of fifth columnists and spentforces who are working clandestinely to use the panel’s report to thwart the leadership efforts of the organisation and paint management in bad light for the fact that they have an axe to grind.
In a press statement jointly signed by the National Convener of ACSGN, Comrade Wale Adegoke, and its Secretary, Comrade Musa Abdullahi, the group expressed concern over the reported recommendation for institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the leadership of the NSCDC.
According to the information available to the group, the panel reportedly recommended institutional reforms within the Corps. We believe that any such recommendation must be examined carefully within the context of the panel’s actual findings, the evidence presented and the specific shortcomings identified during the investigation.
Institutional reforms are not inherently objectionable. Indeed, every responsible organisation must continually review its procedures, address weaknesses and improve its operational standards. However, reforms should be based on demonstrable institutional deficiencies and clearly articulated objectives, rather than being interpreted as an automatic indictment of the national leadership or a means to cast aspersions on the leadership because of its performance. ” You cannot pass or transfer an individual mess to his boss just to hang him”. It is unacceptable in today’s world and very unethical practice globally.
DELEGATED AUTHORITY AND THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN NATIONAL AND STATE RESPONSIBILITIES
Our principal concern is the need to distinguish clearly between the overall supervisory responsibilities of the Commandant-General and the operational responsibilities exercised by a State Commandant under delegated authority.
The Commandant-General oversees the NSCDC nationally, providing strategic direction, institutional supervision and policy leadership. At the state level, however, the State Commandant is responsible for managing the command’s operations within the framework of applicable laws, regulations, directives and delegated powers.
This distinction is fundamental to any fair assessment of administrative and operational responsibility. Where an incident arises from decisions, omissions or actions taken at the state level, the investigation must establish who authorised the operation, who exercised direct control, which procedures were followed or violated, and whether any failure of supervision or institutional oversight contributed to the outcome.
It would therefore be inappropriate to assume that the Commandant-General bears direct personal responsibility for every operational failure occurring within a state command merely because he heads the organisation nationally.
At the same time, we must take into account the apology given by the state commandant of wrong doing and professional oversight. Accountability must follow the evidence and the actual responsibilities of the individuals and offices concerned.
This is the standard of fairness that ACSGN believes should guide the interpretation and implementation of the panel’s recommendations.
THE PANEL’S REPORTED FINDINGS AND THE NEED FOR EVIDENCE-BASED CONCLUSIONS
Of particular importance is the reported finding that the operation leading to the arrest and detention of the miners was conducted without an operational order or approval from the NSCDC national headquarters as stated by the panel’s report.
This finding raises an important question about the chain of command, the authorisation of the operation and the extent to which decisions were taken independently at the state level.
It is therefore necessary to examine the precise wording of the report and determine what conclusions can reasonably be drawn from that finding. The absence of an operational order or approval from the national headquarters may be relevant to establishing where the operation originated and who exercised direct operational control. However, the panel has exonerated the national headquarters by the admission in the report that there was no direct communication or procedural directive nor authorisation.
Accordingly, ACSGN urges the relevant authorities and the public to distinguish between the panel’s established findings, its recommendations and the interpretations subsequently placed on them by interested parties.
If the panel identified specific officers as directly responsible for violations, the appropriate disciplinary measures should be pursued in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
What must be avoided is the indiscriminate attribution of blame or the drawing of conclusions that go beyond the evidence contained in the report such as, it is clandestinely syndicated by fifth columnists in the social media platforms by changing the facts of the issue in trying to cast aspersions on the hard- earned reputation of the CG who oversees the entire organisation.
The group also notes and reports that the former Niger State Commandant apologised over the incident and acknowledged shortcomings under his watch. Any such admission should be considered alongside the full findings of the investigation, rather than treated as a substitute for a comprehensive determination of individual and institutional responsibility.
An apology may be relevant to an inquiry, but the final determination of culpability must rest on established facts, applicable rules and due process just as stated in this issue and nothing more.
NO ROOM FOR SCAPEGOATING, SELECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY OR PREJUDGMENT
ACSGN is concerned that the panel’s recommendations and their subsequent interpretation could become the subject of political or institutional controversy, with the potential to shift attention away from the central issues of justice for the deceased, support for the survivors and the prevention of future tragedies.
We caution against any attempt to use the unfortunate deaths of the miners as a basis for an unjustified campaign against the Commandant-General or the national management of the NSCDC. Equally, we reject any attempt to shield officers who may have acted negligently, unlawfully or in violation of established procedures.
The appropriate response is neither indiscriminate condemnation nor unconditional exoneration. It is a fair, evidence-based assessment of the conduct of every officer and institution whose actions or omissions may have contributed to the tragedy.
Where responsibility is established, accountability must follow. Where allegations are unsupported, reputations must not be damaged through speculation, misinformation or the selective presentation of findings.
The group therefore calls on all stakeholders to refrain from using inflammatory narratives to prejudge the outcome of the investigation or to undermine public confidence in the NSCDC without a proper examination of the evidence.
RECOGNISING PERFORMANCE WHILE DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY
The group further observes that Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi has reportedly been reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for another four-year term. We believe that the continuation of his tenure should be assessed on the basis of institutional performance, measurable reforms, operational effectiveness and the Corps’ ability to fulfil its statutory responsibilities.
A single incident, however serious, should not automatically erase an institution’s achievements. Equally,
the appropriate approach is to preserve what has worked, correct what has failed and strengthen the safeguards necessary to protect lives, uphold human rights and ensure professional conduct.
We urge the Commandant-General and the management of the NSCDC to remain committed to strengthening internal accountability, improving detention standards, enforcing operational procedures and ensuring that all personnel understand the limits and responsibilities of their delegated authority.
These measures would reinforce public confidence in the Corps and demonstrate that institutional reform and responsible leadership can proceed together.
OUR CALL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE NSCDC LEADERSHIP
The Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria call on the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and the Commandant-General of the NSCDC to ensure that the panel’s recommendations are implemented fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law.
We further urge the relevant authorities to:
Publish or make available the relevant findings: Ensure that the panel’s conclusions and recommendations are communicated accurately, so that the public can distinguish established facts from speculation and partisan interpretations.
Establish individual and institutional responsibility: Clearly identify the respective roles of the officers involved, the state command and the
uphold due process: Ensure that disciplinary measures are proportionate to the findings and implemented in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
Provide justice for the victims and survivors: Pursue the recommended compensation through transparent and lawful procedures, while ensuring that the families of the deceased and the survivors receive the support to which they are entitled.
Strengthen operational safeguards: Review procedures governing arrests, detention, supervision and the welfare of detainees to prevent a recurrence of such a tragic incident.
Protect institutional integrity: Ensure that accountability is not converted into an instrument for personal vendettas, political pressure or the unjustified discrediting of any public officer.
Promote professional standards: Sustain reforms aimed at improving personnel training, discipline, operational efficiency and the protection of lives and property throughout the country.
The NSCDC remains an important national institution with responsibilities that include protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, supporting internal security and contributing to the preservation of public order. Its capacity to discharge these duties effectively is in the public interest.
We therefore encourage the Corps’ leadership to remain focused on its statutory responsibilities while treating the Niger State incident with the seriousness it deserves.
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE NATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF THE NSCDC
In view of the foregoing, the Amalgamated Civil Society Groups of Nigeria hereby express its confidence in the national management of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps under the leadership of Commandant-General Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
Our position is based on our assessment of the national leadership’s institutional development efforts and our conviction that the Niger State incident must be addressed through a fair and evidence-based process that distinguishes individual operational responsibility from wider institutional oversight.
This vote of confidence is not a rejection of accountability, nor does it diminish the suffering of the victims and their families. Rather, it reflects our belief that justice must be pursued without prejudice, that responsibility must be established through evidence, and that the integrity of a national institution must be protected through transparency, professionalism and continuous improvement.
We urge the Federal Government, the NSCDC leadership and all stakeholders to ensure that the tragedy in Niger State becomes an opportunity to strengthen institutional safeguards, improve operational accountability and restore public confidence.
