Niger miners probe panel finds preliminary ‘institutional gaps, overzealousness’

The independent committee investigating the deaths of 37 suspected miners in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps custody has identified preliminary evidence of institutional failures and possible overzealous conduct.

Committee chairman Jonathan Kure disclosed the findings while giving an update on the investigation in Abuja.

Kure said the panel had identified what he described as elements of institutional breakdown, overzealousness and areas where additional training of personnel may be required.

The comments are preliminary findings, not the committee’s final conclusions.

Panel seeks two more weeks

The committee has requested an additional two weeks to complete its investigation.

It was originally expected to submit its report by October 7 but is now asking for an extension until October 21, 2026.

Kure said the panel still needed to review a large volume of testimony and documentary evidence.

Crucially, forensic and pathology reports needed to establish the cause of death were still outstanding.

The committee said it must also give all people implicated in the case, including suspended NSCDC officers, an opportunity to respond before reaching final conclusions.

Committee visits detention facility, mining site

Investigators have travelled to Minna and inspected the NSCDC facility where the miners were detained.

The committee has also visited the mining site connected with their arrests and interviewed survivors, bereaved families, witnesses and NSCDC personnel who were directly or indirectly involved.

Autopsies have been conducted, while documentary and forensic material has also been collected.

The Federal Government established the 10-member panel after 37 people died while being held by the NSCDC following arrests linked to suspected illegal mining activities.

Twenty NSCDC personnel, in addition to the Niger State commandant, were suspended while the investigation proceeds.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has separately said anyone eventually found responsible would be held accountable. The Federal Government also announced N250 million in support for the bereaved families