Panel Investigates 37 Miners' Deaths in NSCDC Custody

The Federal Government's Independent Investigative Panel, chaired by Jonathan Kure, is examining the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The panel's preliminary findings indicate institutional lapses and overzealousness by NSCDC personnel during the arrest and detention of the miners, who were apprehended in Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The miners died on September 17, with initial NSCDC reports attributing the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak. However, survivor accounts have raised concerns about the conditions of detention.

The investigation, ordered by the Federal Government, has led to the suspension of officers involved, and the panel was inaugurated on September 22 with a deadline of October 7, 2026. Kure has requested an extension to October 21, 2026, citing the volume of evidence collected, including testimonies and forensic evidence, as the panel continues its review.