An independent investigation committee has recommended the dismissal and prosecution of officers found culpable in the deaths of 33 detainees, including 14 minors, at a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) facility in Minna, Niger State.
The committee also proposed N1.4 billion in compensation for the families of the deceased and survivors, alongside comprehensive reforms to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
The chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), disclosed the recommendations while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.
Kure said the deaths, which occurred between September 15 and 17, 2026, were entirely preventable, attributing them primarily to environmental asphyxia and acute respiratory failure resulting from overcrowding, poor ventilation, excessive heat and dehydration.
He explained that the committee examined medical and forensic evidence, detention registers, communication records, hospital records and burial documents. It also interviewed NSCDC personnel, survivors, bereaved families and other witnesses.
According to the report, the incident followed enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi axis on September 15 and 16, without an approved operational order, adequate planning or consultation with relevant mining authorities.
Investigations subsequently established that the mining sites were licensed to Ozan Consult and Services Limited and Presphere Resources Limited.
The operations led to the arrest of men, women and children, with 75 people detained by the evening of September 16. One person was later released, leaving 74 in custody overnight.
The committee found that approximately 50 male detainees were held in a cell measuring about 20 square metres, with inadequate ventilation, no running water, poor lighting and no functioning toilet. Food and drinking water were also insufficient.
It further established that adults and minors were detained together, while some individuals, including Emmanuel Emeka, were unlawfully held beyond permissible periods. Emeka was reportedly detained over a civil debt dispute.
Kure said the conditions violated constitutional safeguards, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Child Rights Act and recognised international detention standards.
The committee found that detainees began displaying signs of distress shortly after 7 p.m. on September 16, repeatedly banging on cell doors, shouting for help and pleading for water throughout the night.
Despite the distress signals, officers allegedly failed to open the cell, reduce overcrowding or provide emergency medical assistance. Medical personnel had also raised concerns about poor ventilation and the risk of suffocation.
The investigation established that postmortem examinations were conducted on three bodies, while the remaining 30 had been buried before investigators arrived.
The committee found no evidence that an infectious disease outbreak, physical assault or custodial violence directly caused the deaths. It also found no evidence supporting allegations that an aerosol substance had been sprayed into the cell.
The report indicted the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, C.C. Zuberu Ali Ziyaka, over the authorisation of the operation without adequate planning and oversight, the overcrowding of detainees and a public statement attributing the deaths to a disease outbreak.
Other officers indicted were CIC Sunday Oluwadare, SC Usman Ngamaka, ASC I. Hassan Mohammed, DSC Abubakar Daban and DSC Musa Marafa.
They were accused of various failures relating to unlawful detention, ignored distress calls, inadequate supervision and the alleged destruction or alteration of evidence.
The committee recommended summary dismissal and prosecution of officers found culpable for offences including murder, criminal negligence, torture and inhuman treatment, where applicable.
It also called for anti-corruption investigations into allegations of extortion and mismanagement of exhibits.
To provide relief to those affected, the committee recommended N30 million for each of the 33 families of deceased detainees and N10 million for each of the 41 survivors, bringing the proposed compensation to N1.4 billion.
Additional recommendations include educational support for dependents of the deceased, medical rehabilitation for survivors, psychological assistance for affected families and a formal government apology.
The panel also proposed the construction of standard detention facilities across NSCDC commands, the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in custodial areas, independent oversight of detention facilities and improved human rights training and emergency medical response.
It further recommended comprehensive restructuring of the Corps’ leadership, recruitment, promotion, disciplinary procedures, deployment, intelligence gathering and supervisory systems.
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