A 25-year-old man arrested over a private debt dispute was among 33 detainees who died inside a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) facility in Minna, Niger State, a Federal Government investigative panel has revealed.
The victim, Emmanuel Emeka, was reportedly arrested on September 12, 2026, over a debt recovery complaint involving Okoma Pharmacy Ltd in Minna.
According to the panel’s report, Emeka had no connection with illegal mining activities but remained in NSCDC custody until his death between September 16 and 17.
The committee described his arrest and detention as unlawful, noting that officers held him without a warrant over a civil dispute that did not justify his continued detention.
The investigative panel submitted its findings to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on October 27.
It also called for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Emeka’s arrest and death, including the alleged involvement of the pharmacy proprietor, Dr Wilfred Ugwu, and the NSCDC Area Command in Mokwa.
Panel Identifies Officers Involved in Debtor’s Arrest
The report identified Deputy Superintendent of Corps Musa Marafa of the NSCDC Tracking Unit as the officer who arrested Emeka.
It also named the Head of the Investigation Unit, Chief Superintendent of Corps Sunday Oluwadare, as the officer who authorised his detention.
The committee faulted both officers and recommended further investigations to establish their individual responsibilities.
It said Marafa’s actions contributed to Emeka’s continued unlawful detention until his death alongside the other detainees.
The panel also questioned why officers allowed a private debt recovery matter to result in prolonged detention without proper legal authorisation.
14 Children Among 33 Detainees Who Died
Beyond Emeka’s case, the investigation uncovered disturbing conditions inside the NSCDC detention facility.
The panel established that 14 of the 33 people who died were minors, with some as young as 11 years old.
Investigators found that approximately 50 male detainees were confined in a cell measuring about 12 square metres.
The facility reportedly lacked adequate ventilation, running water and proper lighting. Its toilet was also non-functional.
The committee described the overcrowding as dangerous, particularly because officers kept children and adults in the same cell.
Its findings indicated that the deaths resulted from environmental asphyxia, acute respiratory failure, heat stress and dehydration.
These conclusions contradicted the disease outbreak explanation previously announced by the suspended Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye Siyaka.
The panel maintained that the deaths could have been prevented through adequate ventilation, timely intervention and emergency medical assistance.
Detainees Pleaded for Help Before Their Deaths
The report revealed that the deaths occurred between 8pm on September 16 and 7am on September 17.
During that period, detainees reportedly shouted for help, banged on the cell doors and repeatedly requested drinking water.
However, officers allegedly ignored their distress calls and failed to provide emergency assistance.
An Assistant Superintendent of Corps, Hassan Mohammed, who was on night duty, reportedly admitted hearing the detainees crying and wailing.
He told investigators that he did not open the cell because his superior, Superintendent of Corps Usman Ndamaka, had instructed him not to do so without armed backup.
The panel said Ndamaka had ordered that officers must not open the cell under any circumstances, allegedly because he feared the detainees might be planning an escape.
He also reportedly failed to answer an emergency call from Mohammed on the night of the incident.
Medical Warning Over Overcrowding Was Ignored
The investigation further revealed that an NSCDC medical personnel, Assistant Corps member Mariam Nelson, had warned officers about the dangers inside the cell.
Nelson reportedly cautioned that the overcrowding could cause suffocation and advised the guards to leave the metal door unlocked to improve airflow.
However, the officers allegedly ignored her warning despite the obvious risks to the detainees.
The committee concluded that the officers failed to respond appropriately to repeated distress signals and medical concerns.
It also established that 33 bodies were officially recorded as having been brought dead to the General Hospital in Minna.
Meanwhile, 41 detainees survived the incident, with six receiving medical treatment before their discharge.
The findings have raised serious questions about detention procedures, supervision and the treatment of suspects in NSCDC custody.
The panel called for accountability over the deaths and further investigation into the conduct of officers and other individuals connected to the incident.