Two civil society organizations have urged Nigerians to refrain from hastily blaming the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and its Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, regarding the recent deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State. The groups, namely the Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) and Media for Equity and Good Governance, made this appeal during a joint press conference held in Lagos on Friday.

The Executive Director of CAIDOV, Gbenga Soloki, and the President of Media for Equity and Good Governance, Rev. Femi Adepoju, emphasized the importance of due process and credible evidence in addressing the situation. They acknowledged the public outcry and calls for accountability but stressed that no official should be condemned without a thorough investigation.

In their joint statement, the organizations expressed sympathy for the families affected by the incident and called for a transparent inquiry to ascertain the facts and determine the responsibilities of all parties involved. "We have observed calls in some quarters seeking to hold the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, personally responsible for the Niger State incident," they stated.

The groups highlighted that while the Commandant-General provides strategic leadership, he is not in a position to oversee every operation carried out by the NSCDC across various regions. They noted that the corps operates through multiple command levels, including state commandants and zonal commanders, which complicates the assignment of individual responsibility.

Furthermore, the conveners urged the public to consider the broader operational record of the NSCDC under Audi’s leadership, pointing out that past achievements should not cloud the investigation into the recent deaths. They also commended the NSCDC for presenting the officers allegedly involved in the incident to journalists, which they viewed as a sign of transparency and willingness to cooperate with the investigation.

The civil society groups asserted that the investigation should clarify what transpired, the roles of those involved, and whether established procedures were adhered to. They cautioned against condemning the entire institution based on the alleged misconduct of a few individuals, suggesting that the outcome of the investigation could be instrumental in strengthening the NSCDC’s operational capacity.

The groups concluded by advocating for enhanced resources, training, and logistics for the NSCDC to improve its effectiveness and professionalism. They stressed that increased responsibilities should be matched with heightened accountability and respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerians, ensuring that the corps can fulfill its mandate effectively while maintaining public trust.