By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded a full, transparent and independent investigation into the deaths of 37 persons who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in a statement on behalf of the Congress, expressed deep concern over the incident and commiserated with the government and people of Niger State over the deaths, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The victims were reportedly arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16. The NLC said reports indicated that many of those who died were young people, including minors.
The labour body said the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be thoroughly established, including the victims’ identities, the circumstances of their arrest and detention, their treatment in custody and the causes of their deaths.
The Federal Government has constituted an independent committee to investigate the incident, while officers linked to the deaths have reportedly been suspended.
The NLC welcomed the government’s initial measures but stressed that suspension of officers must not replace accountability and justice.
It said: “The Congress calls for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into this tragedy and demands that anyone found culpable be made to face the full weight of the law.”
The labour union also demanded that the findings of the investigation be made public and that anyone found responsible for unlawful treatment, abuse, negligence or other conduct that contributed to the deaths be punished in accordance with the law.
Beyond the immediate circumstances of the tragedy, the NLC urged the government to address the socioeconomic conditions driving people, particularly young people, into artisanal and illegal mining.
According to the Congress, poverty, unemployment, deprivation and the lack of decent livelihood opportunities have pushed many poor rural households into artisanal mining and other vulnerable areas of the informal economy.
“These were children and young people from working-class and peasant families, particularly families whose livelihoods depend on the informal economy,” the NLC said.
The Congress called for stronger regulation of artisanal and small-scale mining, alongside enforcement of occupational safety and health standards and the prohibition of hazardous child labour.
It also urged the government to work with trade unions, employers’ organisations, community representatives and civil society groups in developing policies for the sector.
The NLC further demanded a comprehensive programme to remove children from hazardous mining activities and provide affected families with access to education, skills development, social protection and alternative sources of livelihood.
It called for a coordinated national strategy to tackle rural poverty, youth unemployment, lack of decent work and the vulnerability of informal workers.
“We cannot continue to address the symptoms of these problems while ignoring their underlying causes,” the Congress said.