The Federal Government has vowed to ensure the prosecution of officers found culpable in the deaths of 33 detainees, including 14 minors, in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the assurance in Abuja while receiving the report of the Independent Investigative Committee set up to investigate the incident.
The committee, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Jonathan Kure, attributed the deaths to overcrowding, poor ventilation, extreme heat, dehydration and failure by officers to respond to distress calls.
The investigation also uncovered unlawful detention practices and serious supervisory lapses, raising concerns about the treatment of detainees and the responsibility of security agencies to protect those in their custody.
Describing the incident as tragic, Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians that the government would ensure accountability and justice for the victims.
“No officer found culpable will be shielded, regardless of rank,” the minister said.
He added that the report would be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for further judicial action.
The committee confirmed that 33 detainees died, including 14 minors, while 41 others survived the incident.
Its findings highlighted concerns over detention conditions, particularly overcrowding, inadequate ventilation and the failure to respond to distress calls from detainees.
The committee recommended the dismissal and prosecution of officers found responsible for the deaths, stressing the need to hold those culpable accountable.
It also recommended ₦1.4 billion in compensation for the victims’ families, educational support for their dependants, and medical and psychological assistance for survivors.
The committee further called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology to the affected families.
Reacting to the recommendations, Tunji-Ojo said the government would review the report and take appropriate steps to address the issues identified by the investigation.
He said the government would strengthen detention facilities, improve oversight mechanisms, enhance personnel training and enforce accountability within the NSCDC.
The minister stressed that the proposed measures were aimed at preventing a recurrence of the incident and ensuring that security personnel upheld their responsibility to protect individuals in custody.
He also reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to justice, assuring the victims’ families that the government would not abandon them.
“Every Nigerian life matters,” the minister said, reiterating the government’s commitment to addressing the incident and ensuring that affected families received the necessary attention.
Tunji-Ojo further assured the families that the government would pursue the matter through the appropriate channels, while the committee’s recommendations would guide decisions on accountability and support for survivors.
The referral of the report to the Attorney-General of the Federation is expected to pave the way for further legal action against officers found culpable, subject to the applicable judicial processes.