NSCDC Detention Cell Washed and Renumbered to Destroy Evidence, Probe Panel Member Alleges

A member of the federal government committee investigating the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State has alleged that the NSCDC detention cell where the detainees died was cleaned, disinfected and renumbered in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Deji Adeyanju, a lawyer and human rights activist who served on the 10-member Independent Investigation Committee, disclosed this in a post on his social media account on Wednesday, citing the committee’s findings.

“NSCDC Cell was washed clean, disinfected, renumbered in an attempt to destroy evidence after the death of 33 miners,” Adeyanju wrote.

The allegation follows the committee’s submission of its report to the federal government, in which it recommended prosecuting officers involved in the deaths for murder and other offences.

Committee Chairman Jonathan Kure had earlier confirmed that the detention area was cleaned, disinfected and altered before independent forensic investigators arrived, affecting aspects of the forensic assessment.

Kure, speaking in a separate interview, explained that bloodstains and vomit that could have provided vital clues were washed away before the medical team arrived. “Before we got there, all these had been washed up,” he said.

The committee authenticated 33 deaths and identified 41 survivors, including nine minors. Fourteen of the deceased were minors.

Approximately 50 male detainees had been confined in a cell measuring about 20 square metres, with inadequate ventilation, no running water and no functioning toilet.

Medical and forensic evidence indicated the fatalities resulted from acute respiratory failure consistent with environmental asphyxia, aggravated by extreme heat, dehydration and inadequate ventilation.

The committee also found that detainees repeatedly banged on cell doors and pleaded for water as conditions deteriorated overnight, but officers failed to intervene despite clear evidence the situation had become life-threatening.

Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who received the report, directed the NSCDC Commandant-General to immediately suspend officers allegedly involved in cleaning the detention centre.

“The best gift we can give to the deceased is justice. And justice must be done,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo added that the report would be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for judicial action, warning that officers implicated in the concealment or destruction of evidence would face suspension and disciplinary proceedings.

The committee was constituted on 19 September following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a full and transparent investigation. Niger State NSCDC Commandant Suberu Aniviye and 20 other officers were subsequently suspended.

The allegation that the cell was cleaned and renumbered to destroy evidence has not been independently verified, and the NSCDC has not issued an official response on the specific claim.