• The Incident: Thirty-seven artisanal miners, mostly teenagers, tragically died in a severely overcrowded holding cell at the Minna, Niger State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • The Call to Action: The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to completely restructure the operations and custodial protocols of the NSCDC nationwide.

  • Demands for Justice: Led by Northern States and Abuja Coordinator Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, MURIC insisted on full accountability, a thorough investigation, and substantial financial compensation for the grieving families.

  Detailed Overview

  The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly urged the Federal Government to overhaul the operations of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following the mysterious deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the agency’s custody.

  In an official statement issued on Sunday by its Northern States and Abuja Coordinator, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, MURIC described the tragedy as unacceptable and a severe violation of human rights. According to the organisation, the victims—predominantly teenagers—perished on September 17, 2026, after being packed into a congested cell at the Minna command under extreme heat and substandard ventilation.

  Highlighting the legal implications, MURIC noted that Section 34(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution explicitly outlaws the torture or degrading treatment of any detainee. Consequently, the group has laid down two primary demands:

  • Accountability and Compensation: Immediate justice for the victims and comprehensive compensation packages for the bereaved families to deter future abuses of power.

  • Systemic Reform: A nationwide overhaul of NSCDC custodial practices to rebuild public trust and prevent similar disasters.

Public affairs analyst and transparency advocate Bilal Galadima has responded to demands for the immediate dismissal of Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The calls for his removal followed the tragic deaths of 37 miners and the hospitalization of several others in custody in Niger State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The incident sparked widespread unrest in the state, leading Governor Mohammed Bago to declare a curfew. In response to the crisis, the Federal Government suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and established an independent panel of inquiry. Governor Bago noted that the Department of State Services (DSS) has also taken statements from survivors who were discharged from the hospital.

While human rights lawyer Hamza Dantani publicly demanded the removal of NSCDC Boss Audi, Galadima criticized the demand as an unnecessary distraction. He urged the public to let due process unfold:

“Instead of this distraction, I call on lawyer Dantani and all well-meaning Nigerians to allow the rule of law to take its full course as we await the outcome of the investigations into this unfortunate incident.”

Prominent businessman Isaac Fayose has alleged that five governors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are providing underground financial support to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Underground Support: According to a post shared on his Instagram page, Fayose stated that while these APC governors will not openly campaign for the NDC due to party affiliation, they have committed to funding the opposition’s campaign.

• The Main Objective: Their primary goal is reportedly to block FCT Minister Nyesom Wike from delivering victories for the APC in Abuja and Rivers State.

• Polling Unit Strategy: Fayose claimed that the governors plan to offer ₦200,000 to polling agents in Rivers and the FCT to safeguard votes and prevent electoral rigging, while keeping their identities strictly confidential.