An independent ministerial committee has recommended the summary dismissal and prosecution of several Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps officers over the deaths of 33 detainees in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State, and called for N1.4 billion in compensation for victims’ families and survivors.
The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, presented its report on Tuesday to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in Abuja. It described the deaths, which occurred between September 15 and 17, 2026, as an “entirely preventable” custodial tragedy caused by severe overcrowding, heat stress and dehydration.
Kure said medical and forensic evidence pointed to environmental asphyxia, acute respiratory failure from prolonged confinement in a poorly ventilated cell, rather than any disease outbreak. Claims that an aerosol substance was sprayed into the cell were found unproven.
The tragedy followed NSCDC raids against suspected illegal miners around Minna. The operation proceeded without an approved operational order, proper planning, consultation with mining authorities or involvement of the specialised Mining Marshals unit. National headquarters was not informed beforehand.
By the evening of September 16, 75 people had been arrested. After one release, 74 remained in custody overnight. About 50 male detainees, including minors, were held in a cell measuring roughly 20 square metres that had a solid metal door, inadequate airflow, no running water, poor lighting and no functioning toilet. Food and drinking water were unavailable or grossly inadequate. Adults and children were detained together.
These conditions, the committee found, breached constitutional safeguards, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Child Rights Act and international standards, amounting to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
Distress signals began shortly after 7pm on September 16. Detainees repeatedly banged on doors and walls, shouted for help and pleaded for water. Officers nearby heard the calls. Medical personnel had earlier warned about the risk of suffocation, but no action was taken to open the cell, reduce numbers or summon emergency help.
Thirty-three people died inside the male cell between 8pm on September 16 and 7am on September 17. Fourteen of the dead were minors. Forty-one survivors were identified. Higher casualty figures reported immediately after the incident could not be reconciled with available records.
The committee held specific officers responsible. State Commandant Suberu Siaka authorised and supervised the operation without proper planning or oversight. Head of the Investigation Unit T. S. Sodiq facilitated unlawful detention practices and ignored legal and medical concerns. SC Usman Ndamaka maintained the overcrowded conditions, instructed subordinates not to open the cell and took part in cleaning and altering the detention area before independent examination. ASC I Hassan Mohammed failed to open the cell despite repeated distress signals. DSC Abubakar Dabang profiled suspects into detention, including minors, without adequate documentation. DSC Musa Marafat unlawfully arrested and detained one man, Emmanuel Emeka, over an unrelated civil debt dispute; Emeka later died in custody.
Beyond individual failures, the panel cited institutional weaknesses in the NSCDC: inadequate detention infrastructure, lack of custodial oversight, absence of CCTV, weak documentation, poor emergency medical capacity, ineffective supervision and chronic underfunding.
Limitations noted by the committee included the unavailability of the September 16 detention register, the burial of 30 of the 33 dead before post-mortems, and the cleaning and alteration of the detention area before forensic investigators arrived. It nonetheless concluded that sufficient evidence existed to establish the essential facts, causes and responsibilities.
Recommendations include summary dismissal of officers primarily responsible; prosecution for offences including murder, criminal negligence, torture and inhuman treatment where applicable; investigation by anti-corruption agencies into alleged extortion and exhibit mismanagement; and administrative sanctions for others whose failures contributed to the outcome.
Compensation of N30 million for each of the 33 bereaved families and N10 million for each of the 41 survivors would total N1.4 billion. The panel also called for educational support for dependents of the deceased, medical and psychological rehabilitation, a formal federal government apology, construction of standard detention facilities across NSCDC commands, installation of CCTV in custodial areas, an independent inspectorate, and enhanced human rights training.
Receiving the report, Tunji-Ojo pledged that “nothing will be swept under the carpet.” He said President Bola Tinubu had shown strong interest in ensuring justice and that the era of setting up committees merely to ease tension was over. The minister announced a complete review of the NSCDC and directed the immediate suspension of any officers found to have concealed or doctored evidence.
The report will be forwarded to the Attorney-General of the Federation for judicial action where necessary. Tunji-Ojo assured the families of the deceased that the government would not abandon them and would ensure justice is done.
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