The Federal Government’s 10-member independent investigative committee probing the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has requested a two-week extension to conclude its assignment.
​The chairman of the committee, CP Sani Kure (retd.), made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during a press briefing at the Ministry of Interior headquarters in Abuja.
​Speaking to journalists, Kure explained that the panel had made significant progress in its task but could not meet its initial deadline of October 7 due to the vast volume of evidence gathered and delayed forensic and pathology reports essential to establishing the precise causes of death.
​”The extra two weeks will enable the panel to review all available evidence thoroughly and ensure that persons implicated, including suspended NSCDC personnel, are afforded a fair hearing in accordance with the principles of natural justice,” Kure stated.
​He added that preliminary findings point to institutional gaps and instances of overzealousness by officers on duty.
​The Federal Government subsequently approved the extension request, confirming that the additional time will guarantee that the panel’s final report commands public confidence and withstands legal scrutiny.
​The tragedy stems from an operation on September 15 and 16, 2026, when NSCDC officers arrested a group of suspected miners in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas near Borgu, Niger State. Following their arrest, 37 detainees died under unclear circumstances on September 17 while being held at the NSCDC facility in Minna, Niger State.
​Initial accounts indicated that about 65 individuals were packed into an ill-ventilated cell, raising concerns of suffocation and extreme overcrowding. While the NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a potential diphtheria outbreak, the claim was met with public skepticism, prompting calls for an independent inquiry.
​In response, President Bola Tinubu ordered a comprehensive probe. Subsequently, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted the independent committee and ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC along with 20 other personnel involved in the handling of the detainees.
​Addressing the tragedy, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the incident as a “stain on the nation’s conscience,” emphasising that the state’s obligation to preserve human life extends to citizens under detention. The Federal Government also announced a ₦250 million support package for the families of the deceased victims.
​With the granted extension, the committee’s final findings, recommendations, and determination of criminal negligence or misconduct are now expected to be submitted to the Minister of Interior later in October 2026.
