An investigative panel has found that the 37 miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State died from asphyxiation. The Federal Government’s Independent Investigative Committee probing the deaths, led by former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure, disclosed this on Tuesday. According to the Punch Newspapers, Kure said the investigation revealed that the deceased miners were locked up in a truck for several hours without proper ventilation, leading to their death due to suffocation. The investigation follows a disturbing incident on October 23, 2026, when the miners were arrested by the NSCDC while working illegally at a gold mine in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. The miners, mostly artisanal miners, were subsequently taken to the NSCDC headquarters in Minna, where they died. The findings of the investigative panel are a significant development in the case, providing answers to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public. The panel’s report is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident, and it remains to be seen if any individuals or institutions will be held accountable for the tragedy. The incident highlights the need for improved safety measures and respect for human rights in the mining sector in Nigeria.
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