FG Panel Confirms 37 Miners Died Of Suffocation In NSCDC Custody

A Federal Government investigative panel has confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died from suffocation while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

The panel attributed the deaths to asphyxiation, a condition in which the body receives insufficient oxygen, potentially resulting in unconsciousness, organ damage or death.

Chairman of the 10-member committee, Jonathan Kure, disclosed the findings on Tuesday while presenting the panel’s report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.

The government constituted the panel on September 19 following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a full and transparent investigation into the incident. The government also suspended 21 NSCDC officers in connection with the deaths.

The incident followed the arrest of suspected illegal miners during operations around the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna on September 15 and 16.

The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, had earlier attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak.

“Scores of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following a suspected outbreak of disease,” Aniviye said in a statement.

The deaths prompted the Federal Government to suspend the state commandant and order a probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

As part of its investigation, the committee travelled to Minna to inspect the detention facility where the suspects were held. It also conducted autopsies and collected statements from NSCDC personnel, survivors, relatives of the deceased and other witnesses.

Kure said the panel gathered documentary and forensic evidence to establish what led to the deaths.

He added that preliminary findings revealed institutional gaps and excessive zeal by some officers, pointing to the need for greater professionalism in handling sensitive cases.

The committee had requested a two-week extension on October 6 to complete its investigation and submit its report.