37 Minna Deaths: Panel Flags Institutional Breakdown, Overzealousness in NSCDC Operation

…Committee seeks two-week extension, awaits forensic, pathology reports

The Federal Government’s 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 uncovered indications of possible institutional breakdown, overzealousness and inadequate training among personnel involved in the incident.

The committee, however, said it would not rush to a final conclusion, announcing that it had sought a two-week extension to complete its investigation and submit a “thorough and credible” report.

Chairman of the Independent Investigative Committee, Jonathan Kure (retd.), disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja, saying the committee was yet to conclude its assignment because of the volume of evidence gathered and the need to obtain forensic and pathology reports.

The committee was originally expected to submit its report on October 7, but has requested an extension until October 21, 2026.

Kure said the committee had made appreciable progress since its inauguration, including inspection of the custody facility, conduct of autopsies, interviews with survivors and bereaved families, and the taking of statements from NSCDC personnel and other witnesses.

He said the panel had also visited the mining site and the Niger State Command headquarters of the NSCDC, where members examined the scene connected with the incident.

According to him, the committee had interacted with officers and men of the Civil Defence Corps who were involved either directly or indirectly, but was still engaging some of them as part of the investigation.

“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 added that the committee was still awaiting forensic and pathology reports considered critical to determining the causes of death.

The chairman stressed that the panel was determined to ensure that its eventual findings would withstand scrutiny and command public confidence.

He said persons implicated in the incident, including officers who had already been suspended, must be given an opportunity to respond before the committee reaches its final conclusions.

Beyond the immediate circumstances surrounding the deaths, Kure said the investigation had begun to point to broader institutional issues that would require 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 broadens the scope of the investigation from establishing how the 37 persons died to examining whether weaknesses within the security and civil defence system contributed to the incident.

The reported deaths had triggered public concern and prompted the Federal Government to constitute the independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Kure said the committee had visited the affected communities, met the families of all the deceased and interacted with survivors in an effort to reconstruct what happened.

He said the panel was conscious 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, adding that members of the committee would work throughout the additional two-week period to ensure that the final report did justice to the matter.

Kure said the extension would enable the committee to complete the 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.

He assured Nigerians that the panel would return with its report at the end of the extended period.

The committee’s request for additional time comes amid heightened scrutiny of security agencies and growing demands for accountability whenever deaths occur in official custody.

The final report is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, establish responsibility where applicable and make recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence.