The Federal Government’s independent investigative committee probing the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, has identified indications of institutional breakdown, overzealousness and inadequate training among personnel involved in the incident.
The committee, however, said it would not rush to a final conclusion, disclosing that it had requested a two-week extension to complete its investigation and submit a thorough and credible report.
Chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure (retd.), made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at a press briefing, saying the panel was yet to conclude its assignment because of the volume of evidence gathered and the need to obtain outstanding forensic and pathology reports.
The committee was originally scheduled to submit its report on October 7 but has requested an extension until October 21, 2026.
Kure said the panel had made significant progress since its inauguration, including inspecting the custody facility, conducting autopsies, interviewing survivors and bereaved families, and obtaining statements from NSCDC personnel and other witnesses.
He said the committee had also visited the mining site linked to the incident and the Niger State Command headquarters of the NSCDC, where members examined relevant locations and interacted with personnel.
According to him, the panel had questioned officers and men of the Civil Defence Corps who were directly or indirectly connected to the incident, with engagements with some personnel still ongoing.
“Because of the peculiar nature of this investigation, it involves a large volume of testimonies and evidence which require our meticulous review and collation,” Kure said.
He explained that the committee was still awaiting forensic and pathology reports, which would be critical to determining the causes and circumstances of the deaths.
Kure stressed that the panel was determined to ensure that its findings were evidence-based, withstand scrutiny and command public confidence.
He said all persons implicated in the incident, including officers already suspended, would be given an opportunity to respond before the committee reached its final conclusions.
Beyond the immediate circumstances surrounding the deaths, Kure said the investigation had begun to reveal wider institutional weaknesses that required attention.
“There are elements of institutional breakdown. There are elements of overzealousness. Some elements that will require more training for personnel,” he said.
The disclosure potentially expands the investigation beyond determining how the 37 persons died to examining whether systemic weaknesses within the security and civil defence structure contributed to the incident.
The reported deaths generated public concern and prompted the Federal Government to establish the independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Kure said the panel had visited affected communities, met the families of all the deceased and interacted with survivors as part of efforts to reconstruct the events leading to the deaths.
He said the committee was mindful of the grief suffered by the affected families and would ensure that its findings were based on evidence rather than speculation.
“We promised Nigerians a thorough job,” he said, assuring that the committee would use the additional two weeks to complete its work.
According to him, the extension would enable the panel to conclude its review of documentary and forensic evidence, receive outstanding medical reports and hear from all persons whose conduct or actions might be relevant to the investigation.
Kure assured Nigerians that the committee would submit its final report at the end of the extended period.
The request for additional time comes amid heightened scrutiny of security agencies and renewed demands for accountability whenever deaths occur in official custody.
The committee’s final report is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths, determine responsibility where applicable and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
