33 Niger miners died from heat, overcrowding, not disease – investigative panel

An independent investigative committee has blamed the deaths of 33 miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State on acute respiratory failure caused by extreme heat, overcrowding and poor ventilation, describing the incident as avoidable.

The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, disclosed its findings while presenting its report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Kure said investigations established that the detainees were held in an overcrowded male cell without adequate ventilation or a functional toilet, exposing them to conditions the panel described as cruel and inhuman.

According to the report, NSCDC officers failed to respond to repeated distress calls from the detainees, who reportedly banged on the cell door and pleaded for water as conditions deteriorated.

The committee confirmed that 33 bodies were taken to hospital already dead, concluding that prompt intervention by officers could have prevented the tragedy.

It also accused the Niger State NSCDC commandant of leadership failure and issuing a misleading public statement attributing the deaths to a disease outbreak.

The panel recommended the summary dismissal of the commandant and other officers directly implicated in the detention and deaths of the miners.

It further proposed ₦1.4 billion in compensation for the families of the 33 deceased miners and 44 survivors, alongside institutional reforms to improve accountability and detention conditions within the corps.

The investigation also uncovered irregularities surrounding the arrests, including the detention of one victim over a debt dispute and the confinement of 14 minors alongside adult detainees.

Kure said the failure of officers to respond to desperate appeals for assistance amounted to serious misconduct and a violation of the detainees’ fundamental rights.

Receiving the report, Tunji-Ojo pledged to implement its recommendations and ensure accountability for those responsible.

The minister also ordered the immediate suspension of officers accused of cleaning the detention facility in an alleged attempt to destroy evidence before investigators could establish the circumstances of the deaths.

The findings have intensified concerns over detention practices, the treatment of suspects and the responsibility of security agencies to safeguard people in their custody.

The committee maintained that the deaths were preventable and called for urgent reforms to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.