Deaths In NSCDC Custody: CSOs Reject Commander’s Suspension, Demand Prosecution
By Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The CSO Forum on Detention and Correction has rejected the suspension of the Niger State Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following the death of 37 detainees in the Command’s custody, demanding full prosecution of all culpable officers.
The Forum made its position known in a joint statement signed by 35 civil society organisations and issued on Thursday.
The coalition expressed shock and outrage over the incident, describing it as an intolerable failure of duty of care, custodial management and institutional accountability.
While acknowledging the prompt administrative action taken by the Minister of Interior in suspending the State Commander, the Forum maintained that suspension is merely a preliminary step and not enough justice for the loss of 37 lives in state custody.
In the statement, the CSOs said: “We acknowledge the prompt administrative action taken by the Honourable Minister of Interior in suspending the NSCDC State Commander. However, administrative suspension is only a preliminary step.
“The death of 37 human beings in state custody represents an intolerable failure of duty of care, custodial management, and institutional accountability. Nigeria’s commitments under UNCAT, OPCAT, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and domestic laws including the Anti-Torture Act are legally binding obligations, not optional guidelines.
“The state has an absolute constitutional responsibility to protect every life placed under its restraint and must be held to that standard.”
To restore public confidence, CSOs called for immediate, independent forensic autopsies and coroner’s inquests to establish the precise cause of death for each victim, with findings made accessible to their families and the public.
They also demanded the swift indictment and prosecution of all officers found guilty of negligence, torture, or abuse of power resulting in the deaths.
The coalition further called for unhindered access for civil society representatives, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and independent oversight bodies to monitor all detention facilities nationwide, as well as a complete overhaul of law enforcement detention protocols, including a re-evaluation of NSCDC’s statutory detention authority and mandatory rights-based training for all personnel handling arrestees.
The Forum vowed to closely monitor the investigation to ensure that the tragedy leads to genuine institutional reforms and justice for the deceased and their grieving families.
The statement was signed by groups including Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa), FIDA Anambra, Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation
Others include Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development (CM-CYCD), Davina Care Foundation, Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC), Victorian Clarion Foundation (VICLAF) and 25 others.
