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By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People\u2019s Security Monitor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An independent investigative committee set up by the Federal Government has recommended a compensation package of \u20a61.4 billion for the families of 33 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The panel also recommended the dismissal and prosecution of officers found principally responsible for the deaths, alongside disciplinary measures against other personnel whose actions or negligence allegedly contributed to the tragedy.The recommendations were contained in the committee\u2019s report submitted to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Receiving the report, Tunji-Ojo said officers found culpable would be suspended pending internal investigations and further disciplinary proceedings. He added that the report would be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for appropriate legal action.The minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would work with the NSCDC to implement the committee\u2019s recommendations, stressing that accountability was essential to restoring public confidence in the security system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the government would not abandon them.Presenting the findings, the committee chairman and retired Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, attributed the deaths to severe overcrowding, poor ventilation, extreme heat, dehydration, inadequate supervision and the failure of officers to respond to repeated distress calls from detainees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the committee, 75 people were detained during operations against suspected illegal mining activities on September 15 and 16, 2026. One detainee was subsequently released, leaving 74 people in custody overnight.The report disclosed that approximately 50 male detainees were confined in a cell measuring about 20 square metres, with inadequate ventilation, no running water and no functioning toilet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The detainees reportedly banged on the cell doors, shouted for help and repeatedly pleaded for water as conditions deteriorated.The committee said officers allegedly failed to respond appropriately to the distress calls despite warnings of possible suffocation. It concluded that the deaths resulted from acute respiratory failure consistent with environmental asphyxia, rather than a disease outbreak.The panel confirmed 33 deaths and identified 41 survivors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also reported that nine minors were among those interviewed during the investigation, raising further concerns about the circumstances surrounding the detention of vulnerable persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee further disclosed that post mortem examinations were conducted on only three of the deceased, while the remaining 30 had been buried before its medical team arrived.On compensation, the panel proposed \u20a630 million for each of the 33 bereaved families, amounting to \u20a6990 million, and \u20a610 million for each of the 41 survivors, totalling \u20a6410 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two components bring the proposed compensation package to \u20a61.4 billion.Beyond financial compensation, the committee recommended educational support for the dependants of the deceased, medical rehabilitation for survivors, psychological assistance for affected families and a formal apology by the Federal Government.It also called for the dismissal and prosecution of officers found principally responsible for offences including murder, criminal negligence, torture and inhuman treatment. Other personnel whose failures contributed to the incident were recommended for appropriate disciplinary sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The panel urged the relevant authorities to investigate allegations of extortion and the mishandling of exhibits, emphasising the need to establish individual responsibility and determine whether any officers attempted to conceal evidence or obstruct the investigation.To prevent a recurrence, the committee recommended a comprehensive restructuring of the NSCDC, improved recruitment and training, stronger supervision, upgraded detention facilities and the installation of closed circuit television cameras in custodial areas.Other proposed reforms include independent oversight of detention facilities and improved emergency medical response to ensure that detainees receive prompt assistance whenever their lives or health are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee was established following public concern over the deaths of the suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State in September. Initially given two weeks to complete its assignment, it was granted an additional two weeks to conclude the investigation.The implementation of the recommendations is expected to determine the disciplinary and legal consequences for the officers involved, while addressing the welfare of the survivors and bereaved families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the proposed compensation and recommended sanctions remain subject to consideration and implementation by the relevant authorities. Any criminal liability will be determined through the appropriate legal process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People\u2019s Security Monitor An independent investigative committee set up by the Federal Government has recommended a compensation package of \u20a61.4 billion for the families of 33…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":31155,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pages"],"yoast_head":"\n