Hope Behind Bars Africa has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. In a statement signed by its communication associate, Ogechi Ogwuma, the organisation described the incident as a grave failure of the state's duty to protect lives and demanded an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation. It argued that the suspects had not been tried or convicted, so they were entitled to the presumption of innocence and remained bearers of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. The group noted that the suspects entered custody alive, and the state assumed responsibility for their safety.
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