Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 Nigerians in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, even as the people of Niger State separately dismissed Governor Umaru Bago’s statement blaming the NSCDC as inconsequential, insisting he cannot detach himself from his role as the state’s Chief Security Officer.

In his statement on X, Atiku said he was deeply saddened and profoundly disturbed by the deaths, describing the victims as sons, fathers, brothers and loved ones whose families had every right to expect the state to protect their lives and dignity while in custody.

 “No Nigerian should enter government custody and lose the most basic right of all: the right to life,” he said.
While commending the Federal Government’s swift suspension of the officers under whose watch the deaths occurred, Atiku warned that this must not be the end of the matter. He called for the findings of the investigation to be made public, and for anyone found responsible through action, abuse or negligence to be held fully accountable.

“The families of the deceased deserve more than condolences. They deserve the truth. They deserve justice,” he said, extending condolences and prayers to the bereaved families.

In a separate statement on X, the people of Niger State pushed back against Governor Bago’s public statement, arguing that as Chief Security Officer of the state, he cannot simply separate himself from what happens within its borders, especially amid mounting security and human-rights concerns.
 
According to report, terrorists attacked communities in Borgu Local Government Area during Friday prayers in August, abducting almost 500 worshippers, with around 40 people reportedly killed and the total number abducted still disputed. Barely weeks later, 37 miners have now died in NSCDC custody in Minna, a tragedy the corps has attributed to a suspected disease outbreak.

Raising further doubts about that official explanation, the statement referenced the account of Mallam Abdullahi, father of one of the deceased teenagers, who alleged that detainees were asked to pay ₦500,000 for their release and that women carrying babies and young children were among those held.

 According to Abdullahi, he personally brought food to his son the night before the deaths were announced and spoke with him while he appeared to be in good condition; his son reportedly said he would abandon mining if released. By the following morning, the family had been informed of his death.

Abdullahi said he personally saw more than 30 bodies and alleged the victims were killed rather than felled by disease allegations the statement insisted must be independently investigated rather than dismissed. “How did 37 people end up dead inside the custody of a security agency in Niger State we cannot continue to lose innocent lives while accountability remains a matter of press conferences.”