The independent investigative committee probing the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State, has requested an additional two weeks to complete its work, citing outstanding forensic reports and the need to give implicated officers an opportunity to respond.
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The committee’s chairman, Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the State Security Service, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Kure said the panel had applied for its report submission deadline to be moved from October 7 to October 21, explaining that the volume of evidence gathered and the medical examinations required made additional time necessary.
“We promised Nigerians a thorough job. Because of this, we have applied and sought for an extension of another two weeks, where we hope that our report will be ready,” he said.
“We are determined to do what is just, what is right, and it will have to be seen to be thorough and credible,” he added.
The request comes as the committee continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention and reported deaths, including whether any action or omission by personnel contributed to the incident.
Kure said the panel had made progress through visits to the custody facility and mining site, autopsies, interviews with witnesses, and the collection of documentary and forensic evidence.
However, he explained that the committee still had a substantial volume of testimony and documents to review and collate before reaching its conclusions.
Outstanding forensic and pathology reports were also needed to establish the cause of death. He said the committee must allow everyone implicated in the incident, including suspended officers, a fair opportunity to respond so that its findings and recommendations could withstand scrutiny and command public confidence.
Giving an account of the committee’s fieldwork, Kure said members had travelled to Minna and engaged survivors, bereaved families and NSCDC personnel connected with the incident.
“We were able to go to Minna, where we interacted with all the survivors. We were able to meet with bereaved families, families of all the deceased.
“We were also able to go to the site, the mining site, as well as visiting the State Command headquarters of the Civil Defence, where we went to the scene of the incident,” he said.
The chairman explained that the committee’s interactions covered personnel directly and indirectly involved in the incident, with further engagements still required.
He identified possible institutional breakdown, overzealousness and personnel training needs as issues requiring further examination. These observations remain part of an ongoing investigation, with the committee yet to submit its final findings or determine individual responsibility.
Kure said the additional time would enable members to complete their interviews, analyse the evidence already obtained and receive the outstanding medical reports before preparing the final report.
The Federal Government inaugurated the 10-member committee on September 22, following reports that 37 persons detained over suspected illegal mining activities had died in NSCDC custody on September 17. Former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, serves as the committee’s secretary.
At the inauguration, Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the investigation followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered inquiry.
The minister said the government’s priority was to establish the facts surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable.
He also ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and officers responsible for arrest, investigation, legal, station and guard duties between September 15 and 17, pending the investigation.
The committee’s mandate includes establishing the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances of their arrest and detention, and determining the cause and manner of death through medical and forensic examinations.
It is also expected to establish whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or a breach of duty occurred, recommend appropriate disciplinary action and compensation where applicable, and propose safeguards against a recurrence.
Kure assured Nigerians that members would approach the assignment without bias, sentiment or undue influence, describing it as a call to national service.
He said the committee remained committed to maintaining its integrity and producing a report grounded in a thorough examination of the evidence.
The chairman also expressed condolences to the families of NSCDC personnel recently killed in a separate incident, acknowledging the sacrifices of officers who died in national service.
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