The Federal Government’s investigative panel has confirmed the deaths of 33 detainees, including 14 minors, in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
According to The PUNCH, the panel presented its findings to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, established that the victims died from suffocation caused by overcrowding, poor ventilation, extreme heat and dehydration.
The findings contradict earlier claims that a suspected disease outbreak caused the deaths.
Panel verifies 33 deaths in Niger custody tragedy
The committee explained that initial reports placed the death toll at 37, but available medical and detention records confirmed 33 fatalities and 41 survivors.
Kure said the investigation involved interviews with security personnel, survivors, families and medical professionals.
Investigators also examined hospital records, autopsy reports, detention registers and other evidence.
“The committee concludes that the death of 33 detainees, including 14 minors, was entirely preventable,” he said.
The panel established that approximately 50 male detainees were confined in a poorly ventilated cell measuring about 20 square metres.
It found that detainees repeatedly pleaded for water and assistance while officers failed to respond appropriately.
Names of deceased miners previously released
An earlier list compiled by the International Human Rights Commission identified 33 victims from records obtained at the General Hospital in Minna.
The names included Ibrahim Sani, Fahad Sa’adu, Abdulsalam Ismail, Usman Aliyu, Abubakar Alhaji, Sani Nasir, Sanusi Khalid, Ahmad Aliyu, Safiyanu Abdullahi, Suleiman Dantala and Idris Haruna.
Others were Sani Yakubu, Safiyanu Abubakar, Abdullahi Abubakar, Abubakar Musa, Abdul Mudassir, Suleiman Lawal, Usman Abdullahi, Samuel Sambo, Ibrahim Musa and Yusuf Nasiru.
Also listed were Umar Lawal, Isyaku Amisu, Bissallah Adamu, Abdulbari Suleiman, Shafisu Lado, Usman Ahmad, Usman Ibrahim, Sani Isyaku, Musa Ibrahim, Idris Bashir, Kabiru Suleiman and Emmanuel Emeka.
Four additional names were subsequently supplied to the human rights organisation by relatives.
The earlier hospital-based list has not been independently reconciled with the panel’s final verified register.
Panel recommends N1.4bn compensation
The committee recommended N30 million for each of the 33 bereaved families and N10 million for each of the 41 survivors.
The proposed payments total N1.4 billion.
It also called for the dismissal and prosecution of officers found responsible for the tragedy.
Other recommendations include educational support for victims’ dependants, medical rehabilitation and psychological assistance.
Tunji-Ojo promised that the findings would be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for appropriate action.
“The best gift we can give to the deceased is justice. And justice must be done,” the minister said.
He also warned that officers involved in concealing or destroying evidence would face disciplinary action.
The government is expected to consider the committee’s recommendations and begin necessary institutional reforms within the NSCDC.
