ABUJA — Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered an immediate, comprehensive investigation into the tragic deaths of 37 detainees at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) facility in Minna, Niger State, directing the State Commandant and key operational officers to step aside to ensure an unhindered probe.
In a press statement issued on Friday, September 18, 2026, the Ministry announced that a high-level administrative panel of inquiry—headed by senior officials from the Ministry and independent human rights monitors—has been deployed to Minna to investigate the root causes of the custodial fatalities.
The Minister’s directive comes hours after Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago confirmed the death toll and appealed for calm, underscoring national concern over detention conditions and regulatory compliance within paramilitary facilities.
Core Investigative Actions & Structural Orders
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Administrative Suspensions: The NSCDC Niger State Commandant along with the head of the detention facility and supervising custody officers have been ordered to step aside immediately pending the outcome of the inquiry.
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Scope of the Probe: The investigative panel is mandated to determine the exact cause of death, inspect facility infrastructure, evaluate compliance with detainee handling protocols, and establish administrative or criminal liability.
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Nationwide Facility Audit: Minister Tunji-Ojo ordered a compulsory health and safety audit of all custodial and holding centers managed by the NSCDC and allied paramilitary agencies under the Ministry’s purview across all 36 states and the FCT.
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Commitment to Transparency: The Ministry pledged to publish the panel’s findings within two weeks, assuring the public that any officer found guilty of negligence, duty failure, or abuse of power will face prosecution and summary dismissal.
