By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Federal Government has received an investigative report confirming the deaths of 33 detainees, including 14 minors, in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, with recommendations for the dismissal and prosecution of officers found culpable.
The report was submitted to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja by an Independent Investigative Committee chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Jonathan Kure.
According to the report released on the official X handle of the Ministry on Wednesday, 41 detainees survived the incident, which the committee attributed to overcrowding, poor ventilation, extreme heat, dehydration and the failure of officers to respond to distress calls.
The committee also identified unlawful detention practices and serious supervisory failures, raising concerns about the conditions under which detainees were held and the level of accountability within the security agency.
Reacting to the findings, Tunji-Ojo described the incident as tragic and assured Nigerians that no officer found responsible would be protected, irrespective of rank or position.
The minister said the report would be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for further judicial action, signalling the government’s intention to pursue accountability over the deaths.
Among its recommendations, the committee called for the dismissal and prosecution of officers found culpable, alongside ₦1.4 billion in compensation for the families of the deceased.
It also recommended educational support for the dependants of the victims, medical and psychological assistance for survivors, as well as a formal government apology to those affected by the incident.
Tunji-Ojo said the Federal Government would review the recommendations and take steps to strengthen detention facilities, improve oversight mechanisms, enhance personnel training and enforce accountability within the NSCDC.
He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims, stressing that every Nigerian life matters and that the government would not abandon the families affected by the tragedy.
