ByCorrespondent

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has cautioned the Federal Government against arresting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over renewed allegations of financial misconduct.

The warning followed a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking a fresh probe into allegations against Atiku dating back to his tenure as Vice President, and concerns raised by former Senator Dino Melaye over moves to invite or arrest him.

In a statement on Tuesday, MURIC Founder and Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said any move against Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, at this time would lack tact and send the wrong signal.

“We warn that such an attempt at this point in time will send the wrong signal to Nigerians. With 2027 general elections at the doorsteps, we will like to caution the Federal Government against such a move. It lacks tact. It is also long in impunity, short in emotional intelligence,” he said.

The group urged the Federal Government to tread cautiously given the proximity of the 2027 elections.

MURIC further warned against government body language capable of portraying Nigeria negatively before the international community.

“At all cost, FG must avoid exhibiting a body language that is likely to portray Nigeria as a banana republic. We lost the ethical ground. What is left for us are our democratic values and norms. Our corporate image in the global community is sinking fast,” the statement said.

The group said handling of the matter must reflect due process and avoid actions that could erode public confidence in democratic institutions.

By Uthman Baba Naseer,Minna

Following the Thursday,death of 37 suspected illegal miners at the detention facility of the Niger State Command, of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Minna,a newly deployed Commandant of the Corps has assumed duty in Minna. He is Commandant Abdul Hamid Salisu Kabara.

The Commandant has served the Command as the Deputy Commandant in-charge of administration in Niger State Command, until his elevation to the rank of the Commandant of the Corps before he was redeployed to the Corps headquarters in Abuja.

The deployment of the new Commandant was contained in a press statement signed by the Command Public Relation Officer (DCPRO) Abubakar Mohammed Rabiu Muti DSC

He succeeded Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye who was placed on suspension along with twenty one other officers of the Command as a result of the death of the 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Command.

Commandant Suberu Aniviye’s suspension was announced by the Minister of Interior Hon. Oubunmi Tunji-Ojo in a press statement.

The assumption of office of Salisu Kabara comes at a particularly trying moment for the Command, as result of the sad and unfortunate deaths of some persons arrested in connection with suspected illegal mining activities in the State.

Commandant Salisu Kabara expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and extended his heartfelt sympathy to the families of the deceased and everyone affected by the unfortunate incident.

He stressed that, while the Corps remains committed to its statutory responsibilities of arrest, investigation, enforcement and the fight against illegal mining, the sanctity of human life must remain paramount.

“At a moment like this, beyond arrests, investigations, enforcement and the fight against illegal mining, we must remember one fundamental truth: every human life matters

“The loss of any human life is painful, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families who are mourning at this difficult time” he lamented.

Noting that the responsibility of protecting society and enforcing the law must go hand in hand with the responsibility to uphold the dignity, safety and welfare of persons in custody.

“At this painful moment, the Commandant prays that Almighty Allah forgives the shortcomings of the deceased, grants them eternal rest and gives their families, relatives and loved ones the strength, patience and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss” he prayed.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, has called for a prompt, thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the reported deaths of several persons detained at a facility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The NBA, in a statement issued by its chairman Minna branch Ibrahim Muhammad Ndamitso Esq, expressed profound sadness and concern over the incident, saying the loss of lives in custody was a matter of utmost seriousness.

Ndamitso said while the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, including the number and identities of the deceased and the immediate causes of their deaths, were yet to be conclusively established, the reports raised serious concerns about the conditions under which the affected persons were detained.

He extended its condolences to the families, relatives and loved ones of those who reportedly lost their lives, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and strength for their bereaved families.

The NBA Chairman stressed that the deprivation of liberty does not remove a person’s fundamental human dignity, noting that persons in custody remain entitled to humane treatment and protection of their fundamental rights under the Constitution and other applicable laws.

He particularly emphasised the constitutional right to dignity of the human person, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, adding that authorities responsible for custodial facilities have a corresponding duty to protect the lives, health, safety and dignity of detainees.

The Branch Chairman called on the relevant authorities to establish the exact number and identities of those who died, as well as the condition and whereabouts of other persons detained at the facility, subject to legal and privacy safeguards.
It also demanded appropriate forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies where necessary, to establish the immediate and underlying causes of death.

Ibrahim Muhammad Ndamitso further urged authorities to investigate the conditions at the facility, including ventilation, sanitation, food and water supply, medical attention, accommodation, security and the general welfare of detainees.

The NBA Chairman said the investigation should also establish the legal basis for the arrest and detention of the affected persons, the duration of their detention and whether constitutional and statutory safeguards were observed.
It called for the preservation of all relevant evidence, including custody registers, arrest and medical records, CCTV footage where available, officers’ duty records and other materials that could assist the investigation.

He further urged authorities to hold accountable, in accordance with the law, anyone found to have acted unlawfully, negligently or in breach of established custodial standards.

He also called for an immediate review of custodial facilities across Niger State to prevent a recurrence and urged authorities to ensure that the families of the deceased were treated with dignity, kept informed and provided with all lawful assistance required to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Ndamitso cautioned against detaining anyone merely on the basis of a label or allegation without complying with the law.
It specifically said describing the affected persons as “illegal miners” could not, in itself, dispense with constitutional and statutory safeguards governing arrest, detention and the treatment of persons in custody.

The Chairman acknowledged the legitimate responsibility of law-enforcement and security agencies to combat illegal mining and other criminal activities in Niger State, but stressed that enforcement must be carried out within the limits of the Constitution and other applicable laws.

“The fight against crime cannot be divorced from the obligation to protect human life and dignity,” the NBA Chairman said.

He also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid actions capable of undermining the investigation or disrupting public order.

The Minna Branch Chairman said it remained ready, within the limits of its mandate, to support lawful efforts aimed at establishing the facts, protecting fundamental rights, securing justice for the deceased and their families, and ensuring appropriate remedial measures where necessary.

He reiterated that human life is sacred and that while liberty may lawfully be restrained, human dignity must never be extinguished.