Medical experts begin investigation into deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody

The medical team attached to the Independent Committee of Inquiry probing the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has commenced work to establish how the victims died.

The team is expected to determine the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths as the panel begins its investigation into the incident.

The committee’s Secretary, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to him, the committee held its inaugural meeting shortly after its members were sworn in and adopted a work plan to guide the investigation.

“The Committee’s medical team has already begun work to determine the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths,” the statement read.

Chiroma said the panel would also conduct visits to locations relevant to the case and engage government agencies whose records or activities could assist the investigation.

“The Committee will visit all relevant sites, engage with relevant government agencies, and interview survivors, suspects and other persons with material knowledge of the incident.”

The committee will also obtain documents and other evidence considered necessary to establish what happened before and during the deaths.

Read also: Lagos’ N1.77tn IGR surpasses combined revenue of 22 states in 2025 — NBS

“It will also gather all documents and other materials necessary to establish the full facts of the matter.”

The 37 detainees reportedly died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while being held by the NSCDC Niger State Command after their arrest over alleged illegal mining activities. The circumstances and cause of the deaths have yet to be established.

The Federal Government constituted the 10-member independent panel on Tuesday following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, charged it with establishing the identities of the deceased, determining the immediate and remote causes of death and examining the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.

The minister also directed the panel to scrutinise the legality and conditions of the detention facility and determine whether applicable laws, detention procedures and human rights standards were observed.

Tunji-Ojo said the panel must specifically examine whether the detainees were subjected to abuse or denied necessary medical attention.

“Investigate whether or not the deceased persons were tortured, inhumanely treated, or denied medical care or attention during their detention.”

He further mandated the committee to establish whether negligence or professional misconduct by any officer contributed to the deaths.

“Interview all relevant persons, including the officers involved, other detainees, families of the deceased, witnesses and medical personnel, and any other persons with relevant information,” Tunji-Ojo said.

The minister also issued a warning against actions capable of compromising the investigation.

“Any attempt by anybody to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses, or obstruct this investigation will be treated as a serious offence against the nation, and it will not be tolerated.”

As part of its evidence-gathering process, the committee said it would receive memoranda from individuals and organisations with relevant information.

“The Committee appeals to members of the public to support its work and has resolved to invite memoranda from interested individuals and organisations.”

Details concerning the venue and date for physical submission of memoranda, the panel said, would be announced later.

The committee pledged to conduct “a thorough, fair, transparent and evidence-based inquiry” and said it would provide updates to the public as the investigation progresses.

The panel has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.

The post Medical experts begin investigation into deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.