FG sets up independent panel to probe deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State on suspicion of illegal mining.

The announcement came in a press statement issued on Saturday by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The move follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a “comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation” into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17.

“The Minister also directed the suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the independent committee’s investigation,” the statement said.

It described the deaths as “deeply disturbing” and stated that the government “owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.”

The committee is tasked with establishing the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances of their arrests and detention, determining the cause of death, and identifying any responsibility, negligence or misconduct.

It has two weeks to submit its report and may recommend compensation and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Committee members include Jonathan Kure (retired DSS deputy director-general) as chairman, Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN) as secretary, a histopathology professor, a human rights activist (Deji Adeyanju), representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government, and others.

A list of more than 20 suspended NSCDC officers, including the Niger State commandant, was also released.

The 37 people, many of them artisanal miners including some teenagers and internally displaced persons, were among scores arrested by the NSCDC between September 15 and 16 during operations targeting illegal mining in the Wushishi/Lukoto area of Niger State.

They were found dead in the early hours of September 17 while still in detention.

NSCDC officials initially pointed to a suspected disease outbreak.

However, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago and other reports indicated that about 67 detainees had been held in a single cell, raising questions about overcrowding, poor ventilation and possible suffocation or heat-related deaths.

Some accounts also alleged physical abuse.

The deaths triggered public anger, disturbances in Minna and a temporary curfew.

President Tinubu had earlier ordered a full investigation and the