An independent ministerial committee investigating the deaths of 33 suspects in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, has identified overcrowding, extreme heat, dehydration and alleged failures in the duty of care as major factors behind the tragedy.
The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, disclosed the findings while presenting its investigation report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday.
The committee described the deaths as “entirely preventable” while ₦1.4 billion was recommended in compensation for the bereaved families and survivors.
According to the report, the victims, who were reportedly arrested in connection with mining activities, were exposed to extreme heat, dehydration and severe overcrowding while being held in detention.
The committee said the conditions made breathing difficult and ultimately contributed to the deaths of the detainees.
In its executive summary, the panel identified the immediate cause of the fatalities as “environmental asphyxia caused by prolonged confinement in a severely overcrowded cell aggravated by heat stress and dehydration.”
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The findings point to serious failures in the management of the detention facility, particularly in ensuring adequate ventilation, sufficient space and basic welfare for the detainees.
Beyond the conditions of detention, the committee also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the operation that led to the arrest of the victims.
It disclosed that the operation was conducted without an operational order or approval from the NSCDC national headquarters, raising questions about compliance with established operational procedures within the corps.
As part of its recommendations, the committee proposed a compensation package of ₦30 million for each of the 33 families who lost relatives and ₦10 million for each of the 41 survivors.
The proposed payments form part of a total compensation package of ₦1.4 billion intended to provide restitution to those affected by the incident.
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The committee further recommended educational support for the dependants of the deceased, medical rehabilitation for survivors and psychological support for families affected by the tragedy.
It also called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology to the victims’ families and survivors.
On accountability, the panel recommended the summary dismissal of NSCDC personnel whose actions directly contributed to the deaths.
It also proposed administrative sanctions for officers who failed to discharge their responsibilities but whose actions or omissions were not directly responsible for the fatalities.
The recommendations are intended to address individual responsibility while supporting broader reforms within the NSCDC.
The committee also called for reforms to improve the corps’ operations and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
The report’s findings place particular emphasis on the need for proper authorisation of security operations, effective supervision of detention facilities and compliance with the duty of care owed to persons held in custody.