By Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, Sept 18, 2026
ABUJA — Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed profound sorrow and outrage over the tragic deaths of dozens of Nigerians while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Reacting to the incident on Friday, the elder statesman described the development as deeply disturbing, emphasizing that state detention facilities must never be converted into execution centers for citizens whose rights remain protected under the Nigerian Constitution.
In a personal statement issued to journalists, Atiku asserted that regardless of any allegations leveled against suspects, state institutions owe detained individuals a fundamental duty of care, dignity, and protection of life until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
”I am deeply saddened and profoundly disturbed by the deaths of dozens of Nigerians while in NSCDC custody in Niger State,” Atiku stated. “These were human beings—sons, fathers, brothers, and loved ones, whose families had every right to expect that, whatever allegations they faced, the state would protect their lives and dignity while they remained in its custody.”
”No Nigerian should enter government custody and lose the most basic right of all: the right to life,” he added.
While acknowledging the administrative actions taken by the Federal Government following the incident, Atiku commended the swift suspension of the NSCDC officers who were directly in charge of the facility when the deaths occurred. However, he cautioned that administrative sanctions alone are insufficient to guarantee justice.
He demanded that the investigative panel instituted to probe the custodial deaths operate with complete independence and transparency, insisting that the full findings must be made available to the public.
”I commend the Federal Government for the swift decision to suspend the officers under whose watch this tragedy occurred and to order a full investigation. That is an important first step, but it must not end there,” Atiku noted.
“The investigation must be independent, thorough, and transparent, and its findings must be made public. Anyone found responsible through action, abuse, or negligence must be held fully accountable.”
Extending his sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy, the former Vice President stressed that official condolences cannot substitute for systemic reform and transparent justice.
”The families of the deceased deserve more than condolences. They deserve the truth. They deserve justice. And Nigerians deserve the assurance that custody by the state will never become a death sentence. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I pray that God grants them strength and comfort in this painful hour, and that the truth is established without delay,” he concluded.
The controversy stems from the reported deaths of multiple suspects detained at an NSCDC facility in Niger State under circumstances that have drawn intense scrutiny from human rights organizations and legal experts. While official details regarding the specific cause of death remain subject to ongoing investigations, preliminary reports point to extreme cell overcrowding, severe lack of ventilation, and improper medical handling of detainees.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, established by Act 3 of 2003 and amended by Act 6 of 2007, is a paramilitary agency empowered to protect critical national infrastructure, license private guard companies, and assist in civil defense operations.
Under Nigerian law, detention facilities operated by security agencies like the NSCDC are subject to strict legal guidelines governed by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees the right to life and physical integrity.
This recent tragedy in Niger State has once again brought into sharp focus the broader systemic issues surrounding pre-trial detention facilities, custodial conditions, and enforcement officer training across Nigeria’s security architecture.
Security experts and civil society leaders have repeatedly warned against prolonged detention without trial and bad cell sanitation, urging the Ministry of Interior to enforce strict oversight across all custodial centers nationwide.