From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The Federal Government has been urged to expedite the implementation of the recommendations of the 10-man independent committee set up to investigate the deaths of 37 miners at a detention facility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The miners reportedly died last month under inhumane detention conditions, prompting the constitution of the committee chaired by Jonathan Kure, a former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The committee recommended the suspension of 21 officers, stiffer sanctions, including dismissal, and the prosecution of officers of the Niger State Command found culpable. It also recommended compensation for the victims’ families.

Reacting to the report, the Executive Director of the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), Blessing Akinlosotu, called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations and the upgrading of detention facilities across the country.

In a statement yesterday, Akinlosotu commended the committee for what he described as its diligence, patriotism and thoroughness.

He said a major finding of the report was that the detention facility in Minna was deplorable, unhealthy, inhumane, severely overcrowded and unfit for human habitation, with inadequate breathing space and ventilation that contributed to the suffocation of detainees.

Akinlosotu condemned what he described as the unprofessional and reckless conduct of the NSCDC officers involved, adding that the tragedy was not only a result of negligence but also reflected systemic underfunding of security agencies.

He noted that the NSCDC and other security agencies were saddled with enormous responsibilities, including protecting lives and property, safeguarding solid minerals, preventing illegal mining, securing critical national assets and infrastructure, implementing the Safe School Initiative, deploying agro-rangers to promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, and managing disasters.

According to him, the agencies continued to operate with inadequate resources and outdated detention facilities despite their expanding responsibilities.

He said: “The Council hereby calls on the Federal Government to make adequate and improved budgetary provisions for the upgrade of detention facilities nationwide and for better funding of the nation’s security architecture.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the panel report never indicted the Commandant-General.

“The report clearly established that the operation in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto was carried out without operational orders, without the knowledge and without the approval of the national headquarters.

“Therefore, no one should politicise or attempt to use this state-level operational failure to incite the public against the national leadership of the Corps and the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Akinlosotu also defended the leadership of the NSCDC under its Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, citing what he described as reforms and efforts to reposition the organisation.

He said Audi had transformed the Corps from a low-rated civil outfit into a more professional, intellectually driven and respected security organisation, adding that his commitment to discipline, human rights compliance and service to humanity was well documented.

“The Commandant-General cannot be everywhere at the same time. If a police commissioner fails in his responsibility in a state, the Inspector-General of Police cannot be made to bear the consequences. If a governor fails, the President cannot be blamed.

“The same principle of administrative justice must apply here. You sanction the erring subordinate accordingly,” he said.

The NCSCN chief urged President Bola Tinubu to review the panel’s findings and ensure the judicious implementation of its recommendations.

He also called on the Federal Government to approve a special intervention fund and significantly increase budgetary allocations to the NSCDC and other security agencies.

According to him, the funding should support the construction of standard, humane and well-ventilated detention facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the procurement of operational vehicles, modern surveillance and communication equipment.

He further advocated continuous training and retraining of personnel in custodial management and human rights.

“A well-funded, well-equipped and well-trained security architecture guarantees a safer and more prosperous country,” he said.

Akinlosotu also urged security and law enforcement agencies to expedite the arraignment of suspects before competent courts, describing timely prosecution as an effective way to curb prolonged and unlawful detention and uphold the constitutional guarantees of fair hearing and human dignity.