Youth Leaders Demand Justice for 37 Miners' Deaths

The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL) has called for accountability and justice regarding the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. In a statement signed by President-General Comrade Goodluck Ibem, CONYL described the incident as a serious matter requiring a transparent and independent investigation to clarify the circumstances of the detainees' deaths.

The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but the actual cause remains undetermined, necessitating medical and forensic examinations. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the deaths and ordered investigations, including autopsies.

CONYL condemned any negligence or misconduct that may have contributed to the deaths and emphasized the need for a credible investigation to assess the treatment of the detainees. The Federal Government has established a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive inquiry.