Coalition defends NSCDC Commandant-General, rejects calls for his removal over Minna detainee deaths

In its response, the coalition argued that the available information does not, at this stage, establish a direct basis for terminating the Commandant-General’s tenure. It said the circumstances surrounding the deaths should first be established through the ongoing investigations and that any disciplinary or administrative action should be based on verified evidence and applicable procedures.

The coalition expressed concern over the deaths and extended its condolences to the families of the deceased. It said those responsible should be identified and held accountable in accordance with the law, while cautioning against reaching conclusions about individual responsibility before the relevant investigations are completed.

According to the coalition, the enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto area of Minna took place on September 15 and 16, 2026, under the Niger State Command of the NSCDC. The coalition stated that the operations were conducted under the authority of the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, who was subsequently suspended pending investigation.

The coalition further stated that, as national head of the NSCDC, the Commandant-General does not personally supervise every enforcement operation carried out by state commands across the country. It argued that operational responsibility should therefore be examined within the Corps’ established command structure and that responsibility should be assigned on the basis of evidence concerning the conduct or omissions of individual officers.

The coalition said that after being informed of the deaths, Professor Audi directed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. It stated that an investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant-General responsible for Intelligence and Investigation was established to examine matters including the circumstances of the arrests, the duration and conditions of detention, the medical attention provided to the detainees and other relevant issues.

The coalition also referred to the suspension of the Niger State Commandant and other NSCDC personnel in connection with the incident. It said these measures demonstrate that disciplinary processes have commenced and should be allowed to proceed alongside the broader investigations.

It further noted that the Federal Government has constituted a 10-member committee to investigate the incident, with representation reportedly including the Minna Emirate Council, the Niger State Government, human rights advocates and legal professionals. The coalition said other government security agencies have also undertaken investigations and argued that the findings of these processes should inform any further administrative, disciplinary or criminal action.

Regarding the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence, the coalition argued that it should apply consistently to individuals whose conduct is under investigation. It said that, unless evidence establishes personal involvement, knowledge, negligence or another legally relevant form of responsibility on the part of the Commandant-General, calls for his removal should remain an advocacy position rather than an established finding of fact.

The coalition acknowledged that questions of institutional and supervisory responsibility may also arise from the investigations. It maintained, however, that such questions should be resolved by examining the relevant chain of command, operational procedures, decisions taken by individual officers and the circumstances surrounding the detainees’ deaths.

It said the response to the incident should include accountability for any officers found responsible, cooperation with independent investigations and implementation of any institutional reforms that the investigations may recommend. It also called for the investigation process to be transparent and for its findings to be made available to the public, subject to applicable legal and privacy requirements.

The coalition emphasised that the deaths of the detainees should remain the central concern and that their families are entitled to answers and appropriate accountability. It therefore urged the relevant authorities to ensure that the investigations are thorough, independent and evidence-based.

It called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other relevant authorities to allow the investigative processes to be completed before taking further action against senior officials, unless evidence emerging from those processes provides a lawful basis for such action. It also urged the NSCDC leadership to continue cooperating with all investigations and to implement any measures necessary to prevent similar incidents.

The coalition said its position is that responsibility should ultimately be determined by evidence rather than assumption. It maintained that Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi’s administrative responsibility, if any, should be assessed on the basis of the findings of the ongoing investigations and the applicable legal and institutional framework.

It concluded by calling for a transparent process that establishes what happened, identifies any individual or institutional failures, and ensures appropriate accountability for those found responsible, while respecting due process and the rights of all persons whose conduct is under investigation.