The Federal Government panel investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has identified institutional lapses and overzealousness in the handling of the detainees.
Chairman of the 10-member Independent Investigative Panel, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday while giving an update on the committee’s work in Abuja.
Kure said the findings so far had raised concerns about the conduct of some NSCDC personnel involved in the arrest and detention of the miners.
“There were elements of institutional lapses, elements of over zealousness ” on the part of officers and men of the Service in their handling of the arrest and detention of the Miners.
He added that the investigation had also identified areas where the NSCDC would require additional training and improved professionalism when dealing with situations of such magnitude.
According to him, the preliminary findings are not yet the panel’s final position, as the committee is still examining evidence and awaiting important forensic and pathology reports needed to establish the circumstances and cause of the deaths.
The development comes about three weeks after the deaths of the 37 detainees triggered public outrage in Niger State and led to calls for accountability.
The victims were among scores of people arrested during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
They were subsequently taken into custody in Minna, where the 37 deaths were recorded on September 17.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak.
However, accounts from survivors raised questions about the conditions under which the detainees were held.
The Federal Government subsequently ordered a full investigation into the incident.
President Bola Tinubu had directed that the circumstances surrounding the deaths be thoroughly examined, while Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo suspended officers connected to the incident and constituted the independent panel.
The panel, chaired by Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, was inaugurated on September 22 with a two-week deadline to complete its assignment.
But with the initial deadline approaching, Kure said the committee had not completed its work and had therefore requested additional time.
He said the panel wants the deadline moved from October 7 to October 21, 2026.
Kure explained that the request was necessary because of the volume of evidence gathered during the investigation.
He said the committee had received testimonies from different categories of people connected to the incident and was still reviewing the materials.
The chairman said the panel had inspected the custody facility where the detainees were held. It also conducted autopsies and obtained statements from NSCDC personnel, survivors, relatives of the deceased and other witnesses.
Kure said the committee had also gathered documentary and forensic evidence as part of efforts to establish exactly what happened before and during the deaths.
He said:” recall that on inauguration, our committee was mandated to submit its report within two weeks.
” The Committee acknowledges the cooperation so far received from the Federal Ministry of Interior, the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), the Niger State Government, Minna Emirate, members of the affected communities, and survivors.
“It is important to report that appreciable progress has been recorded, including inspection of the custody facility; conduct of autopsies; taking of witness statements from Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel, survivors, families and other witnesses; and the collection of documentary and forensic evidence.
” However, the Committee is yet to conclude its assignment on account of the following:
The large volume of testimony and documentary evidence requiring meticulous review and collation.
“The pending forensic and pathology reports essential to establishing the cause of death; and the need to afford all persons implicated-including the officers already suspended- a fair opportunity to respond, so that the Committee’s findings and recommendations will withstand scrutiny and command public confidence.
“In the circumstance, the Committee has requested an extension of time of two weeks, that is, from the initial submission date of 7th October to 21st October 2026, to enable it conclude its investigation and submit a thorough and credible final report.”
The chairman stressed that the panel was being careful because of the seriousness of the incident and the number of people affected.
He said the additional time would allow the committee to properly consider the evidence before reaching its final conclusions.
Kure also noted that officers already suspended over the incident would be given the opportunity to respond to allegations against them before the panel concludes its work.
However, the committee has not yet released a final determination on individual culpability.
Kure said the pending forensic and pathology reports remained important to the investigation because they could provide further evidence on the actual cause of death.
The issue of the cause of death has remained one of the major questions surrounding the incident.
Following the deaths, some survivors gave accounts that differed from the initial explanation of a suspected disease outbreak.
One survivor alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside the detention room before several detainees began collapsing.
Those claims remain part of the issues being investigated by the authorities.
The incident also sparked protests in Minna, with residents and relatives of the deceased demanding answers.
The unrest prompted the Niger State Government to impose restrictions in parts of the state capital as security agencies moved to contain the situation.
The Federal Government later expanded the response by setting up the independent panel to establish the facts surrounding the deaths.
The panel has since met survivors and bereaved families as part of its investigation.
It has also examined the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of the miners and interacted with NSCDC personnel who had direct or indirect involvement in the operation.
The committee’s final report is expected to provide recommendations to the Federal Government on responsibility, accountability and measures that could prevent a similar incident.
The extension being sought by the panel means its report may now be submitted on October 21 if the Federal Government approves the request.
Kure assured Nigerians that the additional time was necessary to ensure that the final report was properly prepared.
He also said the panel was committed to ensuring justice for those affected by the incident.
The chairman further commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of the Air Staff and the families of personnel who died in the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State on Monday.
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed near Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area while travelling from Benin to Lagos on a routine mission.
The Presidency later confirmed the deaths of the personnel and declared a three-day national mourning.
Kure described the air crash as another painful tragedy and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died.
He described the fallen personnel as patriots who lost their lives while serving the country.
