A Federal Government investigative committee has found that asphyxiation caused the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, N-S-C-D-C, in Niger State. 

Chairman of the committee and former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, disclosed this while presenting the panel’s report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja. The finding marks a major development in the investigation into the deaths, which occurred on September 17, 2026, while the victims were in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command in Minna. 

The deceased were among dozens of people arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining in the M-I Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State. The committee was established by the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Further details of the panel’s findings and any recommendations on accountability were not contained in the information made available.