Minna custody saga: SNM calls for calm, praises Tinubu, Tunji-Ojo and NSCDC boss

A national civil society organization on the fringes of the Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi Abubakar, for their swift response to the deaths of 37 children arrested at mining sites in Minna, Niger State.

The group, in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Joseph Uyeh, expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased children and the Niger State Government for the tragic and painful loss that has shocked the conscience of the nation.

According to the statement, “while we do not support illegal mining activities, allegations of wrongdoing should not deprive any Nigerian of their constitutional rights to life, dignity and the presumption of innocence.”

The organization commended President Tinubu for ordering a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, saying the directive demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to accountability and protection of citizens’ lives.

The group also commended the Home Minister for promptly constituting and inaugurating a 10-member independent investigative committee to look into the circumstances leading to the unfortunate tragedy to avert further occurrences.

The organization also commended the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi Abubakar, for the measures taken against the officers allegedly involved in the incident.

He noted that the suspension and arrest of the officers demonstrated the importance of institutional accountability as the investigation into the incident continues.

The SNM, however, appealed to political actors, civil society organizations and other interest groups to refrain from politicizing and using the tragedy to inflame political tensions or incite public unrest.

He urged Nigerians and other stakeholders to allow the independent investigative process to take its course, stressing that the findings of the committee would be critical in establishing the facts surrounding the incident and determining appropriate measures.

The group called for calm, patience and respect for due process, while urging all relevant authorities to ensure that investigations remain transparent and that any individual found guilty is held accountable.

“Justice will surely be served,” the statement read, urging Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding as the investigation proceeds.