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 (*37*)-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 growth 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 have 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 have 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 beneath controversial circumstances, triggering nationwide outrage and requires an impartial probe from civil society teams and human rights activists.
Initial experiences by the NSCDC attributed the deaths to doable sickness and exhaustion, however households of the deceased alleged overcrowding, poor air flow, and inhumane detention circumstances.
Concerned by the general public outcry, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted an Independent Investigative Committee headed by former Deputy (*37*)-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 at this time is predicted to pave the best way for additional actions by the Federal Government, together with doable sanctions and reforms in custodial administration by paramilitary businesses.
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