MEDICAL TEAM BEGINS PROBE INTO DEATHS OF 37 MINERS IN NSCDC CUSTODY

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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

The medical team of the Independent Committee of Inquiry investigating the deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced efforts to establish the cause, mechanism and manner of their deaths.

The committee also disclosed that it would interview survivors, suspects and other individuals with relevant information about the incident as part of its investigation.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Secretary of the committee, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN.

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According to the statement, the committee held its inaugural meeting shortly after its inauguration and adopted a work plan to guide the investigation.

“The Committee’s medical team has already begun work to determine the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths,” the statement said.

The panel said it would visit relevant locations, engage government agencies and speak with individuals who may have useful information concerning the incident.

It added that the committee would also collect documents and other materials required to establish the facts surrounding the deaths.

The 37 persons reportedly died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command after they were detained over alleged illegal mining activities. The circumstances and cause of their deaths have yet to be established.

Following the incident, the Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the panel in Abuja, said its mandate included identifying the deceased, determining the immediate and remote causes of their deaths and examining the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.

The committee was also tasked with investigating the legality and conditions of the detention facility and determining whether relevant laws, detention procedures and human rights standards were observed.

Tunji-Ojo directed the panel to establish whether any of the deceased were subjected to torture, inhumane treatment or denied adequate medical attention while in detention.

The minister further asked the committee to investigate possible negligence or professional misconduct by any officer involved in the detention.

He said the panel should interview officers involved, other detainees, relatives of the deceased, witnesses, medical personnel and anyone else with relevant information.

Tunji-Ojo also warned against attempts to interfere with the investigation, stressing that anyone who destroys or conceals evidence, intimidates witnesses or obstructs the process would face serious consequences.

The committee said it would also invite memoranda from interested individuals and organisations as part of its investigation.

It urged members of the public to support the inquiry, noting that details concerning the submission of memoranda, including the venue and date for physical presentations, would be announced later.

The panel reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a thorough, fair, transparent and evidence-based investigation and said it would keep the public informed as the process progresses.

The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.