Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has condemned the death of 37 detainees in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the Niger State command. The fatalities, revealed in a press release by the SDP’s chief communications adviser, have sparked nationwide outrage and raised questions about the safety and oversight of state detention facilities.
In a statement issued by his campaign, Adebayo described the incident as a “catastrophic failure of custodial care” and a “severe violation of human rights.” He said that custody should provide protection, rehabilitation and the preservation of legal rights, not a death sentence.
“The death of 37 Nigerians in state custody is not just a tragedy; it is a profound national embarrassment that demands swift and uncompromising accountability,” Adebayo said. “We cannot fold our arms while the institutions established to protect our people become centers of unexplained fatalities. The families of these victims, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve to know the exact truth of what transpired behind those closed doors.”
Adebayo urged the federal government and international human‑rights bodies to launch an immediate, independent inquiry. He insisted that the investigation must not be a “whitewash” conducted by the security agencies involved, but should be led by an independent panel to ensure total transparency and justice.
The candidate also demanded the suspension of all commanding officers directly responsible for the facilities where the deaths occurred, pending the outcome of the investigation. He called for a comprehensive autopsy and forensic audit by independent medical experts, as well as a complete overhaul and public audit of all detention protocols and facilities managed by the NSCDC and other paramilitary agencies.
Expressing his deepest condolences to the grieving families, Adebayo reaffirmed the SDP’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, institutional accountability and the sanctity of human life. He vowed to follow the matter closely until justice is fully served and those found culpable are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
