37 Miners Death: Civil Society Clears NSCDC CG Audi, Says Officers Acted Without Approval

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, NCSCN, has said the Independent Committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate the death of 37 young miners in a detention facility belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna, Niger State, has vindicated the Commander General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.

The Council made this known on Wednesday, 28th October, 2026, during a World Press Conference on the State of the Nation held in Abuja to react to the official report of the Federal Government panel.

Addressing journalists, the Executive Director of NCSCN, Blessing A. Akinlosotu, said the Council had patiently awaited the report since the panel was constituted on September 19, 2026, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a full and transparent investigation into the incident.

Akinlosotu commended the diligence, patriotism and thoroughness of the 10-man Independent Committee chaired by the former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr. Jonathan Kure.

According to the Council, the major and indisputable takeaway from the report is that the condition of the detention facility in Minna was deplorable, unhealthy, inhumane, severely overcrowded and grossly unfit for human habitation, with no room for proper breathing and ventilation, leading to the suffocation of the detainees.

The NCSCN said it outrightly condemns the unprofessional and reckless actions of the NSCDC officers involved in the incident, while applauding the suspension of 21 officers in connection with the tragedy and demanding stiffer sanctions, including dismissal and prosecution of all officers of the Niger State Command found culpable.

The Council noted that the tragedy in Minna is not just about recklessness and negligence, but more about systemic underfunding of the nation’s security architecture.

“The NSCDC and other National Security Agencies appear overwhelmed with enormous responsibilities such as securing lives and property of citizens, protection of solid minerals and prevention of illegal mining, protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, Safe School Initiative, agro-rangers for farmers-herders peace, and disaster management, yet they operate with medieval detention facilities. You cannot demand 21st-century security delivery with 19th-century funding,” the Council stated.

The NCSCN declared that among all detention facilities in Nigeria, only that of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, can be considered above average, and called on the government to discourage undue and unjust detention of citizens.

The Council called on the Federal Government to make adequate and improved budgetary provisions for the upgrade of detention facilities nationwide and for better funding of the nation’s security architecture.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Council stressed that the panel report never indicted the Commander General. According to NCSCN, the report clearly established that the operation in M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto was carried out without operational order, without knowledge and without approval of the National Headquarters.

“Therefore, no one should politicize or attempt to use this state-level operational failure to incite the public against the National Leadership of the Corps and Federal Government of Nigeria,” Akinlosotu said.

The Civil Society Council said it can unequivocally attest to the professionalism and patriotism of the Commander General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi and his monumental reforms, transformation and repositioning of the NSCDC.

“Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi has transformed the NSCDC from a low-rated civil outfit into a world-class, intellectually-driven and highly respected security organization. His passion for professionalism, discipline, human rights compliance and service to humanity is exemplary and well documented,” the Council stated.

The group argued that the principle of administrative justice must apply, noting that the Commander General cannot be everywhere at the same time.

“If a Police Commissioner fails in his responsibility in a State, the Inspector General of Police cannot be made to bear the consequences. If a Governor fails, the President cannot be blamed. The same principle of administrative justice must apply here. You sanction the erring subordinate accordingly,” Akinlosotu added.

In conclusion, the Council urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into the report and implement its recommendations wisely and judiciously.

It also called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of national security and urgency, approve a Special Intervention Fund and massive budgetary increase for the NSCDC and other security agencies for construction of standard, humane and well-ventilated detention facilities in all 36 states and the FCT, procurement of operational vehicles, modern surveillance and communication equipment, and continuous training and retraining of personnel on custodial management and human rights.

The Council added that it will not be out of place to declare a National Emergency on detention facilities and correctional centres in Nigeria, noting that a well-funded, well-equipped and well-trained security architecture guarantees a safer and more prosperous country.