A National Civil Society Organisation on the aiges of Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi Abubakar, for their swift responses to the deaths of 37 children arrested from mining sites in Minna, Niger state.
The group, in a statement released Tuesday in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Joseph Uyeh, expressed heartfelt sympathy to the families of the deceased children and the Niger State Government over the tragic and painful loss that had shaken the conscience of the nation.
According to the statement, “while we do not support illegal mining activities, allegations of wrongdoing should not deprive any Nigerian of the constitutional rights to life, dignity and the presumption of innocence”.
The organisation commended President Tinubu for ordering a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, saying the directive demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to accountability and the protection of citizens’ lives.
The group also praised the Minister of Interior for promptly constituting and inaugurating a 10-member independent investigative committee to examine the circumstances that led to the unfortunate tragedy with the view to avoiding further occurrences
The organisation also commended the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi Abubakar, for the measures taken against officers allegedly involved in the incident.
It noted that the reported suspension and arrest of the officers demonstrated the importance of institutional accountability while investigations into the incident continue.
The SNM, however, appealed to political actors, civil society organisations, and other interest groups to refrain from politicising and using the tragedy to inflame political tensions or incite public unrest
It urged Nigerians and other stakeholders to allow the independent investigative process to run its course, noting that the findings of the committee would be critical to establishing the facts surrounding the incident and determining appropriate measures.
The group called for calm, patience, and respect for due process while urging all relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation remains transparent and that any individual found culpable is held accountable.
“Justice will definitely be served,” the statement said, urging Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding as the investigation proceeds.
