37 Niger miners’ death: Panel seeks 2-week extension

• Awaits forensic, pathology reports

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

The Independent Investigation Committee probing the reported death of 37 miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has requested an additional two weeks to complete its assignment.

The committee said the extension was necessary to enable it to obtain outstanding forensic and pathology reports and thoroughly review the large volume of testimonies and other evidence gathered during the investigation.

Chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), said the additional time would enable the panel to submit a comprehensive, credible and defensible report.

Kure, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, also said the committee needed to give all persons implicated in the incident, including NSCDC officers who had already been suspended, a fair opportunity to respond before reaching its final conclusions.

He explained that members of the committee had travelled to Minna, where they interacted with survivors and bereaved families, as well as officers and men of the NSCDC who were directly or indirectly involved in the incident. The committee also inspected the mining site, the NSCDC State Command headquarters and the scene of the incident.

“Due to the peculiar nature of this investigation, we have been able to go to Minna, during which we were able to have interaction with all the survivors. We were able to meet with bereaved families. We have also been able to meet, or interact with all the civil defence personnel—officers and men—that were involved, either directly or indirectly, in that incident. We are still interacting with them; we are not through with that process. Now, because of the time given to us, by today we should have turned in our report.

“But the peculiar nature of this investigation has involved a large volume of testimonies and evidence which require our meticulous review and collation,” he said.

Kure said the outstanding forensic and pathology reports were particularly important in determining the circumstances and causes of the miners’ deaths.

According to him, the committee was determined to ensure that its findings were based on facts and evidence and could withstand scrutiny.

“Those of you who know medical investigation know that that will take some time. We promised Nigerians a thorough job.

“So, because of this, we have applied and sought an extension of another two weeks, when we hope that our report will be ready,” he said.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had on September 22, 2026, inaugurated the independent investigation committee to probe the reported deaths of the 37 miners while in NSCDC custody in Niger State.

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