An independent investigative panel set up by the federal government has identified asphyxiation as the cause of death of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Key Highlights
- FG panel identifies asphyxiation as the cause of death of 37 miners in NSCDC custody.
- Panel chairman Jonathan Kure, a retired DSS deputy director-general, submitted the report to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
- The detainees died on September 17, 2026, at the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna.
- They were arrested during operations against illegal mining in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas.
- The panel’s recommendations have not yet been made public.
Chairman of the panel, Jonathan Kure, a retired deputy director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), disclosed the finding on Tuesday while submitting the committee’s report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.
The 37 detainees died on September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna.
They were reportedly arrested during operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state.
Why The Panel Was Set Up
The deaths prompted concerns about the circumstances surrounding their detention and the treatment they received while in custody, leading the Federal Government to establish an independent panel to investigate the incident.
President Bola Tinubu directed that the investigation be conducted comprehensively, transparently and without interference.
The committee was tasked with investigating the circumstances of the arrests and detention, determining the cause of death through medical and forensic examinations, examining possible negligence or misconduct, and recommending appropriate actions.
Read also:
- See Full List Of 37 Miners Who Died In NSCDC Custody
- CISLAC, Transparency International Call For Independent Probe Into Deaths Of 37 Illegal Miners
- Minna Tragedy: South-South Youths Reject Calls For Removal Of NSCDC C-G
According to Kure, the panel’s investigation established asphyxiation as the cause of death of the 37 detainees.
However, details of the committee’s recommendations and any findings concerning individual responsibility were not immediately available in the initial account of the report’s presentation.
The findings are expected to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and inform any subsequent action by the relevant authorities.
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