The sad event leading the death of 37 illegal miners in Niger State has been described as grave and unfortunate by a group of 36 NGOs.
In a statement signed by their leader, Bamidele Akinola, the group called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the deaths while those found culpable must be brought to book to ensure that such a tragedy does not repeat itself.
The group also called for adequate compensation for families of those who lost their lives as well as free treatment for those hospitalized.
The Group however frowned at those calling for the removal of the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abubakar Audi over the sad incident.
Audi who only recently got reappointed for a second term is the second head of the organization that will be given the opportunity to continue in office after the first term. This, according to them was because he had diligently served during his first term and the exceeded all expectations even from Nigerians. According to the group, even though Audi appointed the Niger Commandant of the NSCDC, it will be inappropriate to call for his head when he is not the one who gave directive for the detention of the illegal miners. Calling for his sack, according to the group is tantamount to throwing away the baby with the bathwater.
Under Audi, the NSCDC has reached monumental heights in infrastructure especially pipelines and railways protection, and the war against illegal miners winning accolades all over the country. The Corps has also been active in complementing other security agencies in security of lives and properties of Nigerians while also being actively involved in the struggle to protect farmlands through the Agro Rangers.
These and many more achievements formed the fulcrum for the reappointment of Audi as the CG, the Group noted.
It is therefore their believe that the agency under its present leadership should be allowed to tackle the unfortunate incident of the death of illegal miners in its Niger outpost.
‘While we mourn with relatives of those who have lost their lives, we believe that the Audi leadership is not complicit in what happened in Niger State and should be allowed to continue its good work while those found wanting over the dastardly act should be brought to book’, the Group stated.
