BY Victor Ahiuma-YoungThe Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has demanded a full, transparent and independent investigation into the deaths of 37 persons who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger StateThe Congress, in a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, mourned the victims and commiserated with the government and people of Niger State over the tragedy, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The victims were reportedly arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining activities 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 NLC said, “The Congress is deeply saddened and profoundly concerned by the manner in which these precious lives were lost. ”The labour body called for a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the deaths, including the circumstances of the victims’ arrest, detention, treatment and deaths, with the findings made public. It also demanded severe penalties, in accordance with due process and the law, for anyone found responsible for unlawful treatment, abuse, negligence or any other conduct that contributed to the deaths.
The NLC further called for stronger regulation of artisanal and small-scale mining, including enforcement of fundamental principles and rights at work, occupational safety and health standards, and the prohibition of hazardous child labour. It urged government to involve trade unions, employers’ organisations, community representatives and relevant civil society organisations in developing and implementing policies for the artisanal mining sector.
The Congress also demanded a comprehensive programme for the removal of children from hazardous mining activities, alongside access to quality education, skills development, social protection and alternative livelihood opportunities for affected families. It called for a coordinated national strategy to address the socioeconomic drivers of illegal mining, particularly rural poverty, youth unemployment, lack of decent work and the exclusion of informal workers from adequate social protection. “We cannot continue to address the symptoms of these problems while ignoring their underlying causes,” the Congress said.
This version keeps the NLC’s key statements and places the quoted material after the first three paragraphs, while reducing the original resolution to a moderate newspaper length