An independent ministerial investigative committee has disclosed that the mining sites in Minna, Niger State, where dozens of artisanal miners were arrested in mid-September 2026 before 33 of them died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were licensed to two companies: Ozams Consult and Services Ltd. and Prixair Resources Ltd.
The findings form part of the report of the Independent Investigation Committee on the Reported Deaths of Persons in NSCDC Custody in Niger State, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure. The executive summary was presented on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.
According to the committee, the arrests took place on September 15 and 16, 2026, around the M.I. Wushishi (also referred to as Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate) and Lukoto areas of Minna.
The operation followed complaints from residents about suspected illegal mining activities. By the evening of September 16, about 75 people—including men, women, and children—had been detained.
After one release, 74 remained overnight. Approximately 50 male detainees were confined in a cell measuring roughly 20 square metres with inadequate ventilation. Deaths occurred between the evening of September 16 and the morning of September 17. The panel authenticated 33 deaths (including 14 minors) and identified 41 survivors.
The report established that the mining sites targeted in the raids held licences belonging to Ozams Consult and Services Ltd. and Prixair Resources Ltd.
Corporate records reviewed in connection with the findings link several individuals to the companies and related entities within the Prixair Group.
Banjo Demola (also referred to as Ademola or Demola Banjo) is identified as a director of Ozams Consult and Services Ltd., Group Chief Executive Officer of Prixair Group, and the Director-General of Mineral Resources in Niger State.
Banjo Oluwafeyitamilore and Banjo Oluwademilade are listed as directors and/or shareholders in Prixair Resources Ltd. and related Prixair entities.
Other directors and shareholders named in connection with Ozams Consult include Charles Ifeanyi Ozoekwe, Arinze Henry Osita, and Uchenna Ugochukwu Ozoekwe, with Adaeze Faithwin Ajamekwe listed as secretary.
The committee found that the arrest operation itself was unauthorised. It was conducted without an approved operational order or prior notification to NSCDC national headquarters, without proper planning or consultation with relevant mining authorities, and without the involvement of the specialised Mining Marshals Unit. The report stated: “The operation was undertaken without an approved Operational Order, proper planning and consultation with relevant mining authorities or involvement of the specialised Mining Marshals Unit. National Headquarters was not informed before the operation commenced.”
On the cause of death, the panel rejected the initial claim by the then Niger State NSCDC Commandant of a disease outbreak. Medical, forensic, and investigative evidence pointed instead to environmental asphyxia (acute respiratory failure) resulting from prolonged confinement in a severely overcrowded, poorly ventilated cell, aggravated by heat stress and dehydration.
Officers responsible for the cells failed to reduce overcrowding, ignored prolonged cries and banging on the door and walls, and did not provide emergency assistance or basic necessities such as water. The committee described the deaths as entirely preventable and a consequence of overcrowding, unsuitable detention conditions, failure of duty of care, disregard of distress warnings, inadequate supervision, and wider systemic deficiencies.
Further findings indicated that the detention cells were washed, scrubbed, disinfected, and altered (including the introduction of additional vents and renumbering) before the committee’s inspection, raising concerns about preservation of the scene.
The detention register for September 16 was also unavailable. Superintendent of Corps Ndamaka Isah Usman (officer in charge of cell guards) was identified as having led the cleaning and alteration.
Among its recommendations, the panel proposed a restitutive compensation package of ₦1.4 billion—₦30 million for each of the 33 bereaved families and ₦10 million for each of the 41 survivors.
It also called for educational support for dependents of the deceased, medical rehabilitation and psychological support for survivors and families, and a formal apology from the Federal Government. On accountability, the committee recommended the summary dismissal and prosecution of officers whose direct actions contributed to the deaths, along with administrative sanctions for those who failed in supervisory duties.
It further urged institutional reforms within the NSCDC, including standard detention facilities, CCTV in custodial areas, improved emergency medical response, stronger oversight, and enhanced human-rights training.
Minister Tunji-Ojo received the report and indicated that the recommendations would be implemented to ensure justice. The incident had earlier prompted the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and other officers, as well as the constitution of the independent committee on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.