NSCDC Custody Deaths: Panel Recommends ₦1.4bn Compensation for Victims’ Families, Survivors

An independent ministerial committee investigating the deaths of 33 people in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, has recommended a ₦1.4 billion compensation package for bereaved families and survivors.

The committee, chaired by Jonathan Kure, presented its report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday. It described the deaths as “entirely preventable” and called for disciplinary action against personnel whose conduct directly contributed to the fatalities.

According to the committee’s recommendations, each of the 33 bereaved families should receive ₦30 million, while each of the 41 survivors should receive ₦10 million. The proposed package also includes support for the dependants of deceased victims, medical rehabilitation for survivors and psychological assistance for affected families.

The committee further recommended a formal apology from the Federal Government to the victims’ families and survivors, alongside reforms within the NSCDC aimed at preventing a recurrence of the incident.

In its findings, the panel attributed the deaths to environmental asphyxia resulting from prolonged confinement in a severely overcrowded cell. It said the conditions were worsened by heat stress and dehydration.

The report also raised concerns about the operation that led to the arrest and detention of the victims. According to the committee, the operation was conducted without an operational order or approval from the NSCDC national headquarters.

On accountability, the panel recommended the summary dismissal of personnel whose actions directly caused the deaths. It also called for administrative sanctions against officers who failed to perform their duties but whose actions or omissions were not directly responsible for the fatalities.

The recommendations are intended to provide restitution to affected families and survivors while addressing alleged failures in the detention process and strengthening institutional accountability.

However, the compensation and disciplinary measures remain recommendations from the committee. The supplied report does not indicate whether the Federal Government has formally accepted them or when any payments or sanctions would be implemented.