Tragedy Strikes: FG Panel Reveals 37 Miners Died From Asphyxiation in Shocking Custody Deaths

A federal government panel investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, has concluded its inquiry, finding that the individuals died from asphyxiation. Jonathan Kure, who chaired the 10-member independent committee, presented the comprehensive report to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, in Abuja on Tuesday.

The committee's rigorous investigation involved multiple crucial steps to uncover the truth behind the tragic incident. Panel members travelled to Minna to thoroughly inspect the custody facility where the deaths occurred. They conducted autopsies on the deceased and meticulously collected a wide range of evidence, including witness statements from NSCDC personnel, survivors of the detention, and the grieving families of the miners who perished. Furthermore, documentary and forensic evidence was gathered to build a complete picture of the events.

The federal government established this independent panel on September 19, following a direct directive from President Bola Tinubu, who called for a “full and transparent” investigation into the deaths. Minister Tunji-Ojo had previously made an announcement regarding the probe, concurrently listing 21 NSCDC officers who had been suspended in connection with the incident, underscoring the gravity with which the government viewed the matter.

The events leading to the investigation began after the NSCDC announced the arrest of numerous suspects during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna. Initially, Suberu Aniviye, the NSCDC commandant in Niger State, issued a statement claiming that “scores of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following a suspected outbreak of disease.” However, the federal government swiftly suspended the state commandant and ordered a full, independent inquiry into the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths, challenging the initial narrative.

During the presentation of the findings, Jonathan Kure further elaborated that preliminary investigations by the panel had also brought to light significant institutional gaps within the NSCDC and instances of overzealousness by some officers involved. These revelations, he noted, underscore an urgent need for greater professionalism in the handling of sensitive cases by security agencies. Asphyxiation, the identified cause of death, is a medical condition that occurs when the body is deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen, a situation that can rapidly lead to unconsciousness, severe organ damage, and ultimately, death. The panel's report firmly pinpoints this oxygen deprivation as the direct cause of the fatalities, corroborating its findings through comprehensive autopsies and a thorough collection of evidence from the custody facility and all relevant witnesses.