37 Suspected Miners Died From Suffocation In NSCDC Custody

The Federal Government’s Independent Investigative Committee probing the deaths of 37 individuals within the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has discovered that the deceased died from asphyxiation.

The committee Chairman and former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday whereas presenting the panel’s report back to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.

The discovering marks a serious improvement within the investigation into the deaths of the suspected unlawful miners, who died on September 17, 2026, whereas within the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna.

The victims had been amongst dozens of individuals arrested throughout joint operations by the NSCDC in opposition to suspected unlawful mining actions within the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State. This area has witnessed a surge in unregulated mining.

Following their arrest, the suspects had been taken to the NSCDC Niger State Command headquarters in Minna for profiling and additional investigation.

On September 17, the Corps introduced that 37 of these in custody had died below controversial circumstances, triggering nationwide outrage and requires an unbiased probe from civil society teams and human rights activists.

(*37*) reviews by the NSCDC attributed the deaths to potential sickness and exhaustion, however households of the deceased alleged overcrowding, poor air flow, and inhumane detention situations.

Concerned by the general public outcry, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted an Independent Investigative Committee headed by former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, with a mandate to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths and advocate applicable actions.

The committee was tasked with conducting a forensic examination, visiting the detention facility, interviewing officers on responsibility, survivors, and households of the victims, and reviewing the operational procedures of the NSCDC.

The presentation of the report right now is predicted to pave the way in which for additional actions by the Federal Government, together with potential sanctions and reforms in custodial administration by paramilitary companies.