Arrest Of Dead Niger Miners Was Carried Out Without Approval From NSCDC Headquarters — Probe Panel

The Niger miners’ deaths investigation has revealed that the operation leading to the arrest of the detainees who later died in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, was conducted without an approved operational order or prior notification to the corps’ national headquarters.

The independent ministerial committee investigating the deaths of 33 detainees said the raids were carried out on September 15 and 16, 2026, following complaints about suspected illegal mining activities around the Mi-Washishi axis of Niger State.

Chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting the investigation report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the panel executive summary read to the minister in Abuja, the operation was conducted without adequate planning, consultation with relevant mining authorities or the involvement of the specialised mining marshals unit.

The committee also established that the mining sites targeted during the raids were licensed to Ozan Consul and Services Limited and Prince Air Resources Limited.

The operation resulted in the arrest of men, women and children. By the evening of September 16, 75 persons had been detained. Following the release of one detainee, 74 remained in custody overnight.

The panel found that approximately 50 male detainees were confined in a cell measuring about 20 square metres, despite the facility’s inadequate ventilation and limited capacity.

It said the operation and subsequent detention arrangements reflected serious failures in planning, supervision and compliance with applicable laws.

The committee further established that some detainees had allegedly been held beyond lawful detention periods. Among them was Emmanuel Emeka, whom the panel said had been detained in connection with a civil death dispute.

“The operation was undertaken without an approved operational order, proper planning and consultation with relevant mining authorities or involvement of the specialised mining marshals unit.” the report stated.

“The committee concluded that the incident was a preventable custodial tragedy caused by severe overcrowding, unlawful and unsuitable detention conditions, failure of duty of care, disregard of repeated distress warnings, inadequate supervision, and wider systemic deficiencies.” the chairman further read from the executive summary

The report also faulted the detention of minors alongside adults, describing the conditions as inconsistent with constitutional safeguards, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Child Rights Act and accepted detention standards.

The committee concluded that the unlawful detention conditions, severe overcrowding and failure of officers to respond to repeated distress calls contributed to the deaths of 33 detainees between September 16 and 17, 2026.

Medical and forensic evidence reviewed by the panel indicated that the fatalities resulted from acute respiratory failure consistent with environmental asphyxia, aggravated by overcrowding, extreme heat, poor ventilation and dehydration.

The investigation also found that detainees repeatedly banged on cell doors and walls, shouted for assistance and pleaded for water as conditions deteriorated during the night. However, officers responsible for their welfare allegedly failed to provide timely intervention.

The committee recommended the dismissal of officers found principally responsible and prosecution for offences including murder, criminal negligence, torture and inhuman treatment, where applicable.

It also called for a comprehensive review of operational approval procedures, intelligence gathering, supervision and coordination with relevant mining authorities.

The panel said strict compliance with operational procedures and detention standards was essential to prevent security operations from resulting in further loss of life.