NYCN demands justice, compensation over deaths of 37 detainees in Niger

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has demanded justice, compensation and accountability over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners detained in Niger.

Mr Isah Abubakar, National President made the demand in a statement on Saturday in Kaduna, describing the deaths as unacceptable and called for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s security and justice systems.

The detainees reportedly died on Sept. 17 after their arrest during Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operations against suspected illegal mining in M. I. Wushishi and Lukoto.

The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while authorities ordered investigations to determine the actual cause and circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees.

Abubakar urged the Niger Government and NSCDC leadership to establish transparent compensation for victims’ families, including financial, social and psychological support to help affected households recover.

He called for the identification, arrest and prosecution of security personnel found responsible for misconduct or violations of detainees’ rights, stressing the need to uphold fundamental rights during enforcement operations.

The NYCN president urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to provide legal support to affected families and pursue appropriate remedies, including independent judicial inquiries into the deaths.

He also appealed to international human rights organisations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, to monitor investigations and government responses.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has suspended the Niger NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers pending an independent investigation, while constituting a 10-member committee to investigate the incident.

The newsmen report that the committee is expected to establish victims’ identities and investigate their arrests, detention, causes and circumstances of death.