Atiku Calls for Accountability Over 37 Deaths in Detention

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, has directly accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of being responsible for the deaths of 37 Nigerians in a government detention facility. This statement, issued on September 19, 2026, by Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, highlights that the victims were arrested during an operation against alleged illegal mining and were confined in a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps facility, where they died.

Atiku emphasized that suspensions of junior officers would not suffice for justice and called for an independent criminal investigation rather than an internal inquiry. He demanded the preservation of all relevant records and the establishment of accountability for the operation.

Atiku linked the tragedy to the economic conditions under the current administration, arguing that unemployment and poverty have driven young Nigerians into illegal mining.