Minna Miner’s Deaths: Panel Recommends N1.4bn Compensation, Dismissal of NSCDC Personnel
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
An independent ministerial committee investigating the deaths of 33 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, has recommended N1.4 billion in compensation for victims’ families and survivors, alongside the dismissal of personnel directly responsible for the tragedy.
The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, made the recommendations on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting its report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, describing the incident as an entirely preventable custodial tragedy.
According to the committee, the deaths resulted from severe overcrowding, extreme heat, dehydration, inadequate ventilation and unsuitable detention conditions, compounded by negligence, poor supervision and the failure to respond to repeated distress warnings.
The panel said available medical and forensic evidence did not support claims that a disease outbreak caused the fatalities. Instead, it identified environmental asphyxia and acute respiratory failure resulting from prolonged confinement in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell, aggravated by heat stress and dehydration.
As part of its recommendations, the committee proposed compensation of N30 million for each of the 33 bereaved families and N10 million for each of the 41 survivors, bringing the total compensation package to approximately N1.4 billion.
It also called for educational assistance for dependants of the deceased, medical rehabilitation for survivors, psychological support for affected families and a formal apology from the Federal Government.
Beyond compensation, the committee recommended reforms within the NSCDC to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
It urged the summary dismissal of personnel whose actions directly contributed to the deaths, while calling for appropriate administrative sanctions against officers who failed in their duties but were not directly responsible for the fatalities.
The panel further raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the operation that led to the arrest and detention of the suspects in connection with illegal mining activities in and around Minna.
It found that the operation was carried out without an operational order or approval from the NSCDC national headquarters, pointing to serious lapses in operational procedures and supervision.
The investigation involved interviews with NSCDC leadership, operational officers, detention guards, medical personnel, survivors, bereaved families and community representatives.
The committee also examined arrest and detention registers, communication records, duty rosters, hospital and mortuary records, autopsy findings and burial documents. It disclosed that 29 of the 41 survivors, including nine minors, were interviewed as part of efforts to reconstruct the events and establish responsibility.
The recommendations are aimed at securing accountability for the deaths, providing relief to affected families and survivors, and strengthening institutional safeguards against future custodial tragedies.
