Groups caution against blaming NSCDC boss over Niger deaths

Two civil society groups have cautioned Nigerians against condemning the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and its Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, over the deaths of suspected illegal miners in the corps’ custody in Minna, Niger State.

The groups, the Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence and Media for Equity and Good Governance, made the call at a joint press briefing in Lagos on Friday.

The Executive Director of CAIDOV, Gbenga Soloki, and the President of Media for Equity and Good Governance, Rev. Femi Adepoju, stated that while no public official should be shielded from investigation, individuals should not be condemned without evidence and due process.

Expressing sympathy with the affected families, the groups called for a transparent investigation to establish the facts and determine the responsibilities of all involved.

“We have observed calls in some quarters seeking to hold the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, personally responsible for the Niger State incident,” they said in a joint statement.

“Our position is that responsibility, whether individual, supervisory, or institutional, must be established through credible evidence and a transparent investigation rather than speculation, political considerations, or public emotion,” they added.

The conveners noted that the NSCDC operates through various command levels, including state commandants, zonal commanders, and other senior officers, adding that while the Commandant-General provides strategic leadership, he cannot personally supervise every regional operation.

They also urged the public to consider the controversy alongside the broader operational record of the corps under Audi, while cautioning that past achievements should not prejudice the investigation into the Niger State deaths.

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 They stated that the presentation of the officers allegedly involved in the incident before journalists by the NSCDC demonstrated that those connected with the case were available for investigation.

“We believe that the investigation must now be allowed to establish precisely what happened, the respective roles of those involved, whether established procedures were followed, and whether there were failures of supervision or command at any level,” they said.

Rather than condemning the entire institution over the alleged misconduct of individual personnel, the groups suggested using the outcome to strengthen the NSCDC and improve its operational capacity.

“Additional responsibilities should be accompanied by the resources, personnel, training and logistics necessary for the NSCDC to discharge them effectively and professionally.

“At the same time, greater resources must go hand in hand with greater accountability, professionalism and respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerians,” they added.