Two civil society organisations have urged Nigerians to exercise caution before holding the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, responsible for the deaths of illegal miners in Niger State.
The groups said public criticism of Audi over the incident should be based on verified facts and the outcome of investigations rather than unsubstantiated allegations.
The call follows reports of deaths linked to an illegal mining operation in Niger State, with questions raised about the circumstances surrounding the incident and the involvement of security personnel.
The NSCDC is responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure and has also been involved in efforts to combat illegal mining across the country through its Mining Marshals.
The groups argued that the activities of illegal miners pose significant risks, including mine collapses, environmental degradation and loss of lives, and that security agencies operating in such environments face complex challenges.
They called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths to establish what happened and determine whether any individual or institution bears responsibility.
The organisations also appealed to members of the public and civil society actors to allow relevant authorities to complete their investigations before drawing conclusions about Audi or other officials.
The controversy comes amid broader government efforts to curb illegal mining, which authorities have linked to environmental damage, insecurity and loss of government revenue.
The NSCDC has previously deployed its Mining Marshals to mining sites across the country as part of efforts to enforce regulations and tackle illegal mining activities.
However, any allegation of misconduct or excessive use of force by security personnel requires proper investigation, particularly where deaths have occurred.
The groups maintained that accountability should not be compromised, but said any disciplinary or legal action should be based on credible evidence.
They urged the authorities to make the findings of any investigation public and ensure that anyone found responsible for wrongdoing is held accountable, regardless of position.
At the time of reporting, the circumstances surrounding the Niger State deaths and any specific allegations against the NSCDC leadership remained subject to investigation.
