Ask Atiku Abubakar — Official Citizen Engagement Platform

What do you have to say about the 37 Nigerians who died in government custody?

Thirty-seven Nigerians, many of them teenagers, went into government custody alive and came out dead. They were not killed by Boko Haram, by bandits, or on any battlefield. They died after government agents arrested, transported and detained them. When government takes away a person's freedom, it takes on responsibility for their safety, and it must account for every life lost. In 2014, at least 16 young Nigerians died in the immigration recruitment tragedy, and the supervising minister was investigated and prosecuted. I believe the standard should be no different today.

Where this comes from

Article on X Article by @atiku on X · https://x.com/atiku/status/2101341538831724700 2026-09-19 ›
“Thirty-seven Nigerians, many of them teenagers, entered government custody alive. Thirty-seven of them died there. The Tinubu administration cannot explain away 37 bodies with press releases, suspensions and bureaucratic excuses. “These were not casualties of Boko Haram. They were not murdered by bandits. They did not die on a battlefield. They died after agents of the Nigerian government arrested, transported and detained them inside a government facility. “The government seized their freedom and assumed responsibility for their safety. It must now account for every life lost. President Tinubu, Dele Alake and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo cannot hide behind propaganda while 37 Nigerian families bury their children. “In 2014, at least 16 young Nigerians died during the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment tragedy. The supervising minister, Abba Moro, was investigated and subsequently prosecuted over matters arising from that exercise. Why should the standard be different today? Are these lives worth less because the victims were poor, unemployed and accused of illegal mining?
Ask another question Talk to Atiku

← Ask your own question  ·  More answered questions