Panel
The independent panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the deaths of 33 alleged illegal miners has recommended N1.4 billion Naira compensation for deceased families and survivors.
The 10-man investigative committee proposed the sum while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Tuesday in Abuja.
The committee’s Chairman, retired Deputy Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure said that the committee proposed N30 million naira for each of the 33 bereaved families.
Kure added that the committee also proposed that N10 million naira be given to each of the 41 survivors, alongside educational, medical and psychological support.
He noted that the deaths of the suspected miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Niger Command between Sept. 16 and 17, 2026, resulted from preventable custodial failures and inhumane detention conditions.
He called for the construction of standard detention facilities across NSCDC commands, installation of closed-circuit television cameras in custodial areas and the establishment of independent inspection and oversight mechanisms.
Other recommendations he said include improved emergency medical response, stronger custody management procedures, human rights training, better intelligence reporting systems and increased operational funding.
Kure urged the federal government to implement the recommendations, ensure accountability and provide meaningful support to victims’ families and survivors.
He said the report also identified severe overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, lack of running water, poor lighting and insufficient toilet facilities in the male detention cell.
He noted that the tragedy exposed systemic weaknesses in detention infrastructure, supervision and accountability, warning that urgent reforms were necessary to prevent similar incidents.(NAN)
