The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded a full, transparent and independent investigation into the deaths of 37 miners in Niger State, insisting that no Nigerian should enter government custody alive and return home in a body bag.
The opposition party called for independent autopsies, public disclosure of the victims’ identities and detention records, compensation for their families, and prosecution of any officials found responsible for the deaths.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the deaths raised grave questions about the treatment of poor Nigerians in government custody.
“Thirty-seven Nigerians entered government custody alive. Their families are now being asked to receive their bodies.”
The party described the incident as an indictment of the government’s treatment of ordinary Nigerians, stressing that poverty and unemployment must never strip citizens of their constitutional rights.
‘Poverty Is Not a Capital Offence’
The ADC said the miners’ alleged involvement in illegal mining could not justify any violation of their fundamental rights.
“We must be clear: poverty is not a capital offence. Unemployment is not a death sentence,” the party said.
It argued that arrest does not extinguish a citizen’s rights to life, dignity and due process, regardless of the allegations against them.
The party also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and demanded that the circumstances surrounding the deaths be established publicly.
ADC Questions Who Really Profits From Illegal Mining
The party further accused the government of focusing on poor miners while, in its words, “powerful men who finance illegal mining” remain beyond the reach of law enforcement.
According to the ADC, authorities must look beyond the miners found at mining sites and investigate the financiers, sponsors and networks allegedly profiting from illegal extraction of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
“The poor are arrested for digging to survive, while the powerful men who finance illegal mining, sponsor insecurity and cart away Nigeria’s mineral wealth remain beyond the reach of the law,” the party alleged.
Cost-of-Living Crisis at the Centre of ADC’s Attack
The ADC linked the incident to Nigeria’s wider unemployment and cost-of-living pressures, arguing that worsening economic hardship has pushed some citizens toward dangerous and informal means of survival.
The party accused the APC-led federal government of failing to create sufficient legitimate economic opportunities while cracking down on people it says are struggling to survive.
It cited rising food and transportation costs, business closures and shrinking economic opportunities as factors contributing to desperation among Nigerians.
The ADC said the deaths should therefore not be treated as an isolated incident.
It is demanding answers on how 37 miners died in custody, who was responsible for their detention and deaths, who authorized the operations, and whether those who allegedly finance and profit from illegal mining will also face investigation.
For the families of the 37 deceased miners, the party said, accountability must go beyond condolences.
ADC:APC Targeting Poor Miners While Powerful Backers Escape Scrutiny
