The probe panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger state, has recommended the dismissal and prosecution of senior officers involved in the incident.

Chairman of the 10-member independent committee,Jonathan Kure, while presenting the panel’s report to the minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, said the committee recommended the payment of N1.4 billion in compensation to the families of 33 victims and 44 survivors.

He said the deaths were avoidable, adding that the victims, including 14 minors, were held in inhuman conditions.

The committee recommended the summary dismissal of the Niger state commandant of the NSCDC and other officers directly involved in the detention of the miners and their eventual deaths. It also called for institutional reforms to strengthen the leadership of the corps.

Tunji-Ojo, who received the report, promised to implement the recommendations to ensure justice for all affected persons.

He also directed the NSCDC commandant to immediately suspend all officers who cleaned up the detention centre in an alleged attempt to destroy evidence.

The committee said the miners died from asphyxiation, a condition in which the body is deprived of adequate oxygen.

The Federal Government constituted the committee on September 19 following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a “full and transparent” investigation into the deaths.

The ten-member independent committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate the cause of deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger state, has blamed extreme heat and congestion their deaths.

The committee found that the miners died from asphyxiation, a condition in which the body is deprived of adequate oxygen, potentially leading to unconsciousness, organ damage or death.

Chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, spoke on Tuesday while presenting the panel’s report to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, in Abuja.

The Federal Government constituted the committee on September 19 following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a “full and transparent” investigation into the deaths of the suspected illegal miners.

Tunji-Ojo announced the decision in a statement in which he listed the names of the 21 officers suspended in connection with the incident.

The NSCDC said the suspects were arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna, the Niger state capital.

In a statement, Suberu Aniviye, the NSCDC commandant in Niger state, said “scores of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of Thursday following a suspected outbreak of disease”.

Following the development, the Federal Government suspended the Niger state NSCDC commandant and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

However, on October 6, the panel requested a two-week extension to submit its report on the matter.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Kure said the panel travelled to Minna and inspected the custody facility, conducted autopsies, took witness statements from NSCDC personnel, survivors, families and other witnesses, and collected documentary and forensic evidence.

He noted that preliminary findings showed institutional gaps and overzealousness on the part of some officers, adding that greater professionalism was required in handling such sensitive cases.

Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded the preliminary voter register to its online platform following calls for broader public access.

Mohammed Haruna, chairman of INEC’s information and voter education committee, in a statement issued on Monday, said the preliminary register of voters displayed between October 9 and 15 will be updated.

“In accordance with section 19 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the commission conducted the physical display of the register at registration areas nationwide from 9th to 15th October, 2026, providing registered voters the opportunity to inspect their particulars and submit claims and objections as prescribed by law,” he said.

Haruna added that the online publication followed the physical display of the preliminary register at registration areas nationwide, in line with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2026.

The chairman of the information and voter education committee said the online publication would complement the physical exercise and provide wider access to the register.

“Accordingly, and in furtherance of its commitment to transparency, accessibility and public confidence in the electoral process, the commission has decided to make available on its online platform https://display.inecnigeria.org the same preliminary register of voters earlier displayed at the registration areas, ” Haruna said.

“This additional measure complements the physical display already undertaken and is intended to facilitate wider public access to the register.

“Meanwhile, the commission continues to process claims and objections arising from the exercise in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026, preparatory to the certification and publication of the final register of voters on 15th December 2026.”

He reiterated the commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and implementation of the Electoral Act 2026.