The National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, has called for the arrest and prosecution of owners of illegal mining sites in Minna, Niger State, where 37 teenagers were reportedly arrested before their deaths in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The association also called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, saying the suspension of NSCDC personnel allegedly connected with the incident was not sufficient to ensure justice.
The NAS Capoon, Dr Charles Meribole, made the demands in a statement titled, “NSCDC Custodial Deaths: Recurring Impunity of Security Agencies Must End.”
The teenagers were arrested at illegal mining sites located at Lt Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate and Lukoto Village in Minna.
Meribole said the owners and operators of the mining sites should be investigated for allegedly engaging minors as cheap labour instead of allowing them to remain in school.
He cited Section 131 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, which provides penalties for unlawful mining without a licence.
“There should be a broader inquiry into the ownership of the illegal mining sites where the teenagers were arrested,” he said.
He added: “Nigerians deserve to know the owners of the illegal sites that allowed teenagers, who are supposed to be in school, to engage in cheap labour at illegal mining sites, in gross violation of the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.”
The NAS Capoon called for the owners of the sites to be arrested and prosecuted alongside anyone found culpable in the deaths of the teenagers.
He also criticised the suspension of NSCDC personnel over the incident, arguing that disciplinary measures should not replace a thorough investigation and prosecution of those found responsible.
According to him, previous government-constituted investigative panels have often submitted reports that were not acted upon, leaving victims without justice or compensation.
“The tragic death of the 37 teenagers in Minna should mark a turning point in the Nigerian government's indifference to the implementation of investigative panel reports,” he said.
Meribole urged the government to ensure that the investigation into the deaths did not become another bureaucratic exercise whose recommendations would eventually be ignored.
He said the incident should also trigger a review of detention practices across the NSCDC and other law enforcement agencies.
The association called for attention to overcrowding, medical screening, emergency response, detainee monitoring, separation of minors from adults, sanitation, ventilation and access to basic necessities in detention facilities.
“Arresting a suspect over allegations of a crime committed should not strip suspects of their dignity and right to life,” Meribole said.
He further urged the Federal Government to immediately conduct a nationwide audit of detention facilities operated by law enforcement and security agencies, particularly with regard to overcrowding, ventilation and emergency response.
The association said the Minna incident should serve as a catalyst for broader reforms aimed at protecting the rights and lives of people held in custody.
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