Coalition Defends NSCDC Chief Amid Miners' Death Controversy

The Coalition of Civil Societies For Transparency and Accountability has condemned the call for the dismissal of Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody. This call was made by lawyer and human rights activist Hamza N. Dantani in a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding Audi's termination and an independent investigation.

The coalition, led by National Coordinator Comrade Bilal Galadima, described the demand as self-serving and distractive. They noted that the suspects were arrested during operations on September 15 and 16 in Minna, with over 50 individuals detained.

The coalition emphasized that the Federal Government has already suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and established a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident. They criticized Dantani for selective activism, questioning his silence on previous civilian casualties in military operations and urging all parties to await the investigation's outcome.