ABUJA — The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for decisive policy reforms and tough legal safeguards against the abuse of detainees in security custody, following the tragic death of 37 suspected illegal miners held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, NBA President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya emphasized that the death of citizens while under government care represents a grave breakdown of constitutional protections, demanding far more than routine internal administrative probes.
Highlighting preliminary findings from an independent legal review panel, the association noted that overzealous field operations, overcrowding, negligence, and severe procedural lapses directly contributed to the fatal outcome in the NSCDC facility.
The NBA urged the Federal Government to enforce strict adherence to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), mandate routine inspection of detention facilities by judicial officers, and ensure that security personnel implicated in torture, overcrowding, or operational misconduct face prompt criminal prosecution regardless of rank.
Reiterating that suspects remain constitutionally innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, the legal body affirmed it will closely monitor ongoing federal and state investigation panels to ensure full justice for the deceased, medical support for surviving detainees, and complete accountability across security agencies.
