A Federal Government-appointed investigative panel has identified asphyxiation, or oxygen deprivation, 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 Minna, Niger State.
The chairman of the 10-member independent committee, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the panel’s report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja. The committee was established on September 19, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a “full and transparent” investigation into the incident.
The deaths followed the arrest of the suspects during security operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna. In an earlier statement, the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, said several detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following what was initially suspected to be an outbreak of disease.
The incident prompted the Federal Government to suspend the state commandant and 20 other officers in connection with the matter.
Presenting the findings, Kure said the panel visited Minna to inspect the detention facility, conducted autopsies, obtained statements from NSCDC personnel, survivors, relatives of the deceased and other witnesses, and gathered documentary and forensic evidence. He added that preliminary findings revealed institutional gaps and excessive zeal among some officers, stressing the need for greater professionalism in handling sensitive security operations.
The panel had earlier requested a two-week extension on October 6 to complete its investigation. Its findings have now raised fresh concerns about the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the treatment of suspects in detention. Attention is expected to turn to the Federal Government’s next steps, including the implementation of the panel’s recommendations and measures to prevent similar tragedies in the custody of security agencies.
