The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government to immediately overhaul the operations of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in its custody in Niger State.
The organisation also demanded justice and adequate compensation for the families of the deceased miners.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator for Northern States and Abuja, Hassan Sani Indabawa, on Sunday, MURIC described the incident as unfortunate and raised concerns over the alleged conditions in which the miners were detained.
According to the group, the 37 miners, reportedly including teenagers, died on September 17, 2026, while being held in a crowded cell at the NSCDC command in Minna, Niger State.
MURIC alleged that the detainees were packed together under severely inhumane conditions, with poor ventilation and excessive heat.
Indabawa cited Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, and called for justice for the deceased.
He said adequate compensation should be paid to the bereaved families, while urging the Federal Government to overhaul the NSCDC’s operational and custodial practices nationwide to prevent similar incidents.
MURIC said the reforms were necessary to restore public confidence and prevent further abuse of power within the security agency.
