Niger Mining Deaths: 37 Affected Persons Identified as Child Safeguarding Concerns Grow
The names of 37 individuals who lost their lives while under the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have been released, adding more details to a case that has sparked worries about the safety and rights of those detained during an operation against artisanal mining.
The victims were among the scores of persons arrested on September 15 and 16 around the Lt Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in the state capital, Minna. Later, the NSCDC reported that several of the detainees died, and that a disease outbreak was initially blamed.
The development comes after a previous report that some of those who died were allegedly children aged between 14 and 18, adding to concerns about child safeguarding.
The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and directed an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths. NSCDC officials reportedly involved in the incident have also been detained for questioning.
The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) gathered data on the 37 affected persons from the records of the General Hospital, Minna. Relatives then gave more information about those who were not on the hospital’s list.
The information will also help families to seek compensation for their relatives who died, said Awaisu Giwa, International Peace Ambassador, IHRC.
The new information has raised more questions regarding the circumstances of the detainees’ detention, the medical treatment they received and the circumstances of their deaths.
The incident underscores the importance of protecting and supporting children who are allegedly involved in artisanal mining, acknowledging their vulnerability and providing them with the necessary protection and support.
The investigation is likely to determine what occurred and if the proper procedures were followed in the arrests and detention.
