NLC Demands Answers as 37 Suspected Miners Die in NSCDC Custody

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the deaths of 37 persons who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the demand in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be fully established and those found responsible held accountable.

The victims were among suspected illegal miners arrested during NSCDC operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16. They reportedly died in custody on September 17.

Ajaero said reports indicated that several of the deceased were young people, including minors, describing the incident as deeply concerning.

He noted that the Federal Government had already constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the victims’ arrest and detention and the cause of their deaths. The government also suspended 20 NSCDC officers linked to the incident, alongside the Niger State commandant, pending the outcome of the investigation.

While welcoming the suspension of the officers, the NLC president stressed that the disciplinary measures must not substitute for accountability and justice.

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Ajaero mourned the victims and expressed the NLC’s condolences to the families, government and people of Niger State.

He also linked the involvement of young people in artisanal mining and other hazardous informal activities to poverty, unemployment, deprivation and the lack of decent livelihood opportunities.

According to him, many of the victims came from working-class and peasant families whose livelihoods depend on the informal economy.

The NLC president therefore called for stronger regulation of artisanal and small-scale mining, enforcement of occupational safety standards and an end to hazardous child labour.

He also urged the government to remove children from dangerous mining activities and provide affected families with education, skills development, social protection and alternative livelihood opportunities.

Ajaero further called for urgent measures to tackle rural poverty, youth unemployment, inadequate social protection and the shortage of decent jobs.

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“We cannot continue to address the symptoms of these problems while ignoring their underlying causes,” he said.