NSCDC Commandant Misled Public on Detainee Deaths

The Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Siyaka Suberu, has been accused of deliberately misrepresenting the deaths of 33 detainees in custody by attributing them to a fictitious disease outbreak. An independent investigation committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, found that the detainees died due to confinement in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell at the NSCDC state Command in Minna.

The report, submitted to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on October 27, 2026, stated that Suberu issued a public statement blaming the deaths on a disease outbreak to conceal the true circumstances. The committee identified environmental hypoxia as the likely cause of death, with contributing factors including heat stress and dehydration.

While autopsies were conducted on only three detainees, the remaining 30 had been buried before examinations could take place. The panel concluded that the deaths resulted from asphyxia due to the conditions of confinement.