The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Arewa Think Tank have called for due process and credibility in the ongoing investigation into the deaths of 37 miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The JNI, in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday, also condemned the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.
The statement noted that, “JNI under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, was deeply disturbed by the continued killings, abductions, banditry and terrorist attacks across the country.”
The Islamic body said recent incidents in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Gombe, Kogi, Benue and Plateau states painted a disturbing picture that should concern every responsible Nigerian.
The JNI described as particularly worrisome the death of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State following their arrest over alleged illegal mining.
While welcoming the Federal Government’s decision to launch an independent investigation and suspend the officers involved, the Islamic body demanded a transparent, thorough and credible probe.
“Reports that some of those detained may have been young lads make the matter even more painful. There must be no attempt to shield anyone found culpable,” the JNI said.
The body unequivocally condemned the killing and abduction of innocent citizens, saying no grievance or ideology could justify terrorism, banditry or the deliberate killing of human beings.
While commending the sacrifices of the Armed Forces, Police, DSS, NSCDC and other security agencies, the JNI said the scale of attacks required improved intelligence, better coordination, adequate equipment and enhanced welfare for personnel.
To this end, the JNI called for the dismantling of terrorist camps and their logistics supply routes, effective border control, protection of schools, highways and worship centres, and proper regulation of vigilante groups.
The JNI also urged Muslims across the country to intensify prayers for peace and called on Imams to devote Friday sermons to supplications for the nation’s security.
It prayed for the repose of those killed by insecurity, the safe return of those in captivity, healing for the injured and comfort for the families of the 37 persons who died in NSCDC custody.
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“A nation cannot develop when farmers cannot safely access their farms and children cannot attend school without fear. The time for complacency is over,” the statement added.
On its part, the Arewa Think Tank called for due process in the ongoing investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State, arguing that responsibility should be established on the basis of evidence rather than assumptions.
This was contained in a statement issued by the convener, Muhammad Alhàji Yakubu, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday.
He said the group’s position came amid calls in some quarters for the removal of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, following the deaths of the detainees in the custody of the Corps.
The Federal Government and the NSCDC have commenced investigations into the incident. The Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and 23 other personnel have been taken into custody in connection with the deaths, while authorities have said that anyone found culpable will face disciplinary and legal action.
Yakubu, therefore, said the investigation should be allowed to establish the individual and institutional responsibilities involved before conclusions are reached about the Commandant-General.
“It is important that we allow the investigation to run its full course. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing, the appropriate individuals should be held accountable, but responsibility should not be assigned without establishing the facts.”
According to him, the NSCDC has an established chain of command and operational structure through which state commands function under higher formations.
Yakubu maintained that the existence of an alleged operational failure at the state level should not automatically translate into a conclusion that the Commandant-General was personally responsible for the incident.
“It is necessary to understand the administrative structure of the Corps and determine who was responsible for the decisions and actions that led to this unfortunate incident,” he said.
He also pointed to previous directives attributed to Audi concerning the treatment and detention of suspects, arguing that such directives should form part of the evidence considered by investigators.
“The Commandant-General has issued circulars warning formations against detaining suspects beyond the period permitted by law. Those directives and the level of compliance with them should be examined as part of the investigation,” Yakubu said.
The Arewa Think Tank convener described the deaths as tragic and said the victims and their families deserved a transparent investigation capable of establishing what happened and who, if anyone, should be held responsible.
“We must first establish the facts. The families of those who died deserve justice, and justice requires a transparent process that identifies what happened, who was responsible and whether established procedures were violated,” he said.
Yakubu further argued that the controversy should not overshadow the broader fight against illegal mining, which he said requires effective security and regulatory institutions.