The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people who were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The deaths were reported on Thursday, September 17, while the detainees were in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command. The government said the circumstances and actual cause of the deaths remain subject to investigation.
Tunji-Ojo said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention, the cause and circumstances of their deaths, as well as determine any responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct.
The panel will also recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation and ensure that all records and material evidence connected with the incident are preserved and made available to investigators.
He warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
Panel members
The committee is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members are: AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (rtd.), Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Representative of the Minna Emirate Council, Representative of the Niger State Government, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist, Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino, Blueprint Newspaper, Dr George Agbakahi, public affairs analyst.
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected with the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
20 NSCDC officers suspended
The minister also ordered the suspension of 20 NSCDC officers, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, pending the outcome of the investigation. The government has released the names and duties of the affected personnel.
The suspended officers are: SC Usman Isah Ndamaka — O/C Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed — Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed — Station Guard, CSC Oluwadare Sunday — Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, DCC Obafemi Elvis — Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino — Arresting Officer, DCC Philip Ajayi — HOD INT/INV, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado — O/C Legal, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — Day/Night Duty Officer, IC Abdullahi Sale — Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada — Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar — Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman — Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya — Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman — Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi — Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu — Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed — Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah — Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi — Guard Duty
The Niger State NSCDC Commandant is also suspended, bringing the total number of suspended NSCDC personnel to 21.
Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of what happened.
He also expressed condolences to the families and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
The Federal Government’s investigation comes amid separate inquiries into the incident, with authorities seeking to establish what happened to the detainees between their arrest and the discovery of the deaths. The cause of death has not yet been conclusively established.
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