An independent ministerial committee has recommended the dismissal and prosecution of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers implicated in the deaths of 33 detainees at the agency’s Niger State command in Minna, alongside N1.4bn in compensation for victims’ families and survivors.

The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, described the incident as an “entirely preventable” custodial tragedy caused by severe overcrowding, unlawful detention conditions, failure of duty of care, ignored distress calls and inadequate supervision.

Presenting the 65-page report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, Kure said medical and forensic evidence did not support claims that the deaths resulted from a disease outbreak.

According to him, the fatalities resulted from environmental asphyxia, an acute respiratory failure caused by prolonged confinement in a severely overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell, worsened by heat stress and dehydration.

The committee investigated the arrest, detention, treatment and deaths of suspects between September 15 and 17, 2026. It was established by the minister following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.

How 33 Detainees Died

The report traced the incident to enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities in and around Minna.

Kure said the operation was conducted without an approved operational order, proper planning, consultation with relevant mining authorities or the involvement of the specialised Mining Marshals unit.

“National headquarters was not informed before the operation commenced,” he added.

The raids led to the arrest of men, women and children. By the evening of September 16, 75 people had been detained. Following the release of one detainee, 74 remained in custody overnight, with about 50 male detainees confined in a cell measuring approximately 20 square metres.

The committee described the cell as having “a solid metal door, inadequate airflow, no running water, poor lighting, and no functioning toilet.”

Food and drinking water were either unavailable or grossly inadequate, while adults and minors were held together.

According to the report, the conditions violated constitutional safeguards, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Child Rights Act and accepted international standards.

The committee said the conditions “amounted to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, and created an environment, in which fatalities became foreseeable and preventable.”

Kure said signs of distress began shortly after 7pm on September 16 and continued throughout the night, with detainees banging on cell doors and walls, shouting for help and pleading for water.

“These distress calls were heard by officers assigned to nearby duties,” he said.

Medical personnel had also raised concerns about poor ventilation and the risk of suffocation, but their warnings were ignored, according to the report.

The committee said officers failed to open the cell, reduce overcrowding or arrange emergency intervention.

The deaths occurred between 8pm on September 16 and 7am on September 17.

“By the time the cell was opened, many detainees had died,” Kure said.

The committee authenticated 33 deaths, including 14 minors, and identified 41 survivors. It said higher figures reported immediately after the incident could not be reconciled with available records and identified victims.

Although some survivors alleged that an aerosol substance had been sprayed into the cell before the deaths, the committee said it found no evidence to substantiate the claim.

Officers Named in Report

The committee attributed responsibility to several officers, identifying failures in operational planning, detention management and emergency response.

It said the State Commandant, Suberu Siaka, authorised and supervised the operation without proper planning, approval or oversight, resulting in overcrowding.

The Head of the Investigation Unit, T. S. Sodiq, was accused of facilitating unlawful detention practices, disregarding legal and medical concerns and failing to intervene despite being aware of the deteriorating conditions.

SC Usman Ndamaka was accused of maintaining overcrowded conditions, instructing subordinates not to open the cell, failing to respond to emergency alerts and participating in the cleaning and alteration of the detention area before independent examination.

The report also accused ASC I Hassan Mohammed of failing to open the cell despite repeated distress calls and not adequately escalating the emergency.

DSC Abubakar Dabang was accused of profiling suspects for detention, including minors, without adequately protecting their rights or properly documenting exhibits.

Another officer, DSC Musa Marafat, was accused of unlawfully arresting and detaining Emmanuel Emeka over a civil debt dispute unrelated to mining, contributing to his continued detention until his death.

The committee recommended the summary dismissal of officers found primarily responsible, as well as prosecution for offences including murder, criminal negligence, torture and inhuman treatment, where applicable.

It also recommended administrative sanctions for officers whose failures contributed to the tragedy but did not amount to primary culpability.

The panel called for anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations of extortion and mismanagement of exhibits.

N1.4bn Compensation for Families, Survivors

The committee recommended N30m for each of the 33 bereaved families and N10m for each of the 41 survivors, bringing the proposed compensation to N1.4bn.

It also called for educational support for dependants of the deceased, medical rehabilitation for survivors, psychological support for affected families and a formal apology from the Federal Government.

To prevent a recurrence, the committee recommended the construction of standard detention facilities across NSCDC commands, installation of closed-circuit television systems in custodial areas, and the establishment of an independent inspectorate and custodial oversight mechanism.

Other recommendations included improved custodial management, human rights training and stronger emergency medical response arrangements.

Kure said the tragedy was compounded by institutional weaknesses, including inadequate detention infrastructure, ineffective custodial oversight, the absence of CCTV monitoring, poor documentation, weak intelligence reporting, insufficient emergency medical capacity, workforce imbalance and chronic underfunding.

The committee also noted that the detention register for September 16 was unavailable, 30 of the 33 deceased detainees were buried before post-mortem examinations, and the detention area was cleaned, disinfected and altered before independent forensic investigators arrived.

Despite these challenges, Kure said the committee had found sufficient evidence to establish the essential facts, causes and responsibilities.

He appealed for the political will to ensure the recommendations were implemented.

Tunji-Ojo Promises Action

Receiving the report, Tunji-Ojo assured the committee that the government would not suppress its findings.

“I want to assure you, nothing will be swept under the carpet,” the minister said.

He recalled visiting Tinubu after the committee was inaugurated, saying he had never seen the President more passionate about justice.

“The era of setting up committees just to downplay tension is not now,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo described the 10-member committee as carefully selected, adding that none of its members was a government appointee.

He also announced plans for a comprehensive review of the NSCDC, similar to reforms undertaken in the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service and Federal Fire Service.

“A single bad apple shouldn’t describe the apple tree. But, of course, of those that have goofed, there will be repercussions,” he said.

The minister further directed that officers suspected of concealing or altering evidence should be suspended immediately, pending internal investigations and disciplinary action.

“You cannot destroy evidence in a case where we lost 30-something people. That is wickedness,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo disclosed that the report would be forwarded to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for appropriate legal action.

He said the ministry would work with the NSCDC to ensure that an agency established to protect Nigerians did not become a source of harm to them.

“To the families of the deceased, we want to assure you, this government will never leave you alone. We will make sure justice is done to serve the memory of the lost ones,” he said.