Miners’ Deaths in Custody: Probe Panel Cites Overcrowding, Extreme Heat and Dehydration

An independent ministerial committee investigated the deaths of 33 people held by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. Presented in Abuja on Tuesday to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the report cited overcrowding, unsuitable detention conditions, inadequate supervision and a failure of duty of care. The committee said the deaths resulted from environmental asphyxia after prolonged confinement in a severely overcrowded cell, compounded by heat stress and dehydration. It also said the operation that led to the arrests lacked an operational order and approval from NSCDC national headquarters.