“Enough Is Enough!” — ACYN Demands Justice Over 37 Minna Deaths, Murder of Nigerian Bishop in South Africa
By The NewsPostage
The Association of Christian Youths of Nigeria (ACYN) has raised a strong national voice against the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, and the gruesome killing of Nigerian cleric, Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, in Johannesburg, South Africa, declaring that “enough is enough” and that every human life matters.
In a press statement made available to the newsmen on September 21, 2026, and signed by its National President, Pastor Onaolapo Oluwasegun at their National Secretariat at Number 7, Oduduwa Street, Ijapo Estate Akure Ondo State, ACYN said it received the two incidents with “deep shock, total dismay and righteous indignation,” describing them as separate but equally disturbing cases involving the loss of Nigerian lives at home and abroad.
The association said the 37 suspected miners died after being arrested during anti-illegal-mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna saying that although Authorities have since commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and that the outcome is still being awaited with eagerness.
ACYN stressed that the fight against illegal mining must not become a justification for the violation of fundamental human rights. It cited Sections 33 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect the right to life and dignity of the human person, and maintained that persons in custody remain under the protection and responsibility of the State.
The association therefore called for a transparent investigation capable of establishing the actual circumstances that led to the deaths and ensuring accountability where wrongdoing is established.
The association’s demand comes amid official steps already taken over the Minna incident. The Federal Government suspended 20 NSCDC officers in connection with the deaths and constituted an investigative committee, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation. The Niger State NSCDC Commandant was also suspended, while a new commandant was deployed to the state.
Turning to South Africa, ACYN condemned the September 4, 2026 killing of 58-year-old Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, an indigene of Iye in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State and founder of Settled Word Leadership and Theological Seminary. Reports by Nigerian organisations in South Africa said the cleric was killed at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg, after gunmen reportedly shot him several times. The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa has called for an urgent and thorough investigation into the case.
ACYN expressed concern over what it described as a disturbing pattern of violence against Nigerians in South Africa, while calling on the Nigerian Government to intensify diplomatic engagement with the South African authorities. The association’s concerns come against the backdrop of official Nigerian statements that two Nigerians, including Bishop Fakunle, were killed in South Africa in early September. The Federal Government has demanded thorough, transparent and expeditious investigations into the deaths.
The Christian youth body therefore called on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Johannesburg, to engage the South African Government and the South African Police Service to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Bishop Fakunle’s death are fully investigated and that anyone found responsible is brought before the appropriate court.
ACYN also urged the authorities to ensure that the case does not become another unresolved murder involving a Nigerian citizen abroad.
On the Minna incident, ACYN demanded an independent and transparent investigation, the identification and prosecution of any security personnel found culpable, as well as an immediate audit of detention facilities operated by the NSCDC and sister security agencies in Niger State. It equally called on the Niger State Government, as the state authority responsible for security coordination, to ensure that the matter receives proper attention and that the families of the deceased are not denied justice.
The association further appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give both matters decisive attention, stressing that the protection of Nigerian lives must remain a fundamental responsibility of government wherever Nigerians may be found. ACYN maintained that while illegal mining is a serious national concern requiring firm enforcement, enforcement agencies must operate within the law and respect the dignity and rights of persons in their custody.
According to the association, “human life is sacred” and justice should not be determined by tribe, religion, nationality or geographical location.
ACYN commiserated with the families of the 37 victims in Minna, as well as the family, church and community of the late Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, while urging Nigerians to remain calm and allow lawful investigations to establish the facts and determine responsibility.
The statement concluded with the association’s emphatic message:
“Enough is enough. Human life matters.”
