The South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI) has rejected calls for the removal of the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi, over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corpsu2019 custody in Niger State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National President, Imeabe Oscar, the group described the calls for Audiu2019s removal as u201cmisplaced, unjust and politically motivated.u201d
Key Highlights
- South-South youths have opposed calls for the removal of NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi.
- The group said responsibility for the Minna deaths should not be attributed to the NSCDC chief without the outcome of investigations.
- SSYI said the Corps has an administrative structure through which state commands operate.
- The group cited previous NSCDC directives warning personnel against unlawful detention.
- It alleged that some persons involved in illegal mining may be behind calls for Audiu2019s removal.
- The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths.
- Several NSCDC personnel, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, are being investigated over the incident.
Oscar said it was wrong to hold the NSCDC Commandant-General responsible for an alleged operational breach involving personnel at a state command.
According to him, the NSCDC operates an administrative structure in which state commandants report through the Corpsu2019 established command hierarchy, while various departments handle legal, intelligence, administrative and operational responsibilities.
Oscar also argued that Audi had previously issued circulars warning personnel against detaining suspects beyond the constitutionally prescribed period.
u201cIt is on record that the Commandant-General has issued several circulars warning all formations against detaining suspects beyond 24 hours, in line with the Constitution,u201d he said.
u201cSpecifically, circulars to this effect were issued in 2022 and 2024 and widely circulated to all State Commands.u201d
The SSYI president described calls for Audiu2019s removal over the incident as u201cwrong, unjust and mischievous.u201d
u201cIt is therefore wrong, unjust and mischievous for individuals or groups to call for the head of the Commandant-General for an offence allegedly committed by a State Commandant,u201d he said.
Group Links Removal Calls To Anti-Illegal Mining Operations
The South-South youths also linked the calls for Audiu2019s removal to the NSCDCu2019s operations against illegal mining.
The group alleged that u201csome powerful illegal miners and their collaboratorsu201d were behind the campaign against the NSCDC chief.
Oscar further credited Audi with contributing to efforts that, according to the group, helped increase crude oil production in the Niger Delta from about 800,000 barrels per day to approximately 1.6 million barrels per day.
He also claimed that the Federal Government generated about N40 billion from mining activities in 2025, attributing the development largely to operational reforms and measures introduced under Audi.
u201cThe Commandant-General should be allowed to repeat what he did in the Niger Delta in the mining sector,u201d he said.
The group therefore called on the Presidency, the Minister of Interior and Nigerians to disregard what it described as u201csponsored callsu201d for Audiu2019s removal and instead support the NSCDC leadership in its efforts against illegal mining.
u201cProf. Audi should be supported and encouraged to do more for the nation,u201d the statement added.
Read also:
- See Full List Of 37 Miners Who Died In NSCDC Custody
- CISLAC, Transparency International Call For Independent Probe Into Deaths Of 37 Illegal Miners
- Niger Miners’ Deaths: FG Suspends 20 NSCDC Officers, Sets Up 10-Member Probe Panel
Investigation Into 37 Minersu2019 Deaths Ongoing
The SSYI statement comes as investigations continue into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in NSCDC custody in Minna.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive and transparent investigation. Further background on the federal probe is available via the Presidencyu2019s official portal.
The government has also suspended officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation. The NSCDC subsequently detained additional personnel, bringing the number of officers held in connection with the incident to 24, according to the Corps.
The circumstances and precise cause of the deaths remain subject to investigation. Reports have included competing accounts about the conditions in which the detainees were held and the possible cause of death.
The ongoing investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any officers or other persons should bear responsibility. Follow us on X for more updates.
