A Federal Government investigative committee has attributed the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State to negligence, describing the incident as preventable and recommending the dismissal of officers found primarily responsible.
Presenting the committee’s findings, its chairman said the deaths resulted from asphyxiation and occurred between September 16 and 17. The committee found no evidence that physical assault or underlying medical conditions caused the deaths.
The committee also discovered that the operation that led to the arrest of the detainees was conducted without an operational order or approval from the NSCDC National Headquarters.
It said the findings pointed to negligence and recommended the summary dismissal of officers found primarily responsible for the incident.
The findings follow the deaths of 37 people arrested on suspicion of illegal mining during an NSCDC operation around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna, Niger State.
The incident sparked public outrage and calls for accountability, prompting President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, subsequently constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee, which was inaugurated on September 22.
The Federal Government had earlier suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the investigation. The committee’s recommendations are expected to guide further action to establish accountability and prevent a recurrence.
