Isaac Samuel
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development in a statement on Saturday, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The deaths reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after the victims were arrested and detained by the NSCDC Niger State Command on suspicion of illegal mining.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The minister described the deaths as deeply disturbing, ,saying the government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what transpired.
He said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
The committee is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to fully cooperate with the investigation.
He ordered that all records and material evidence connected with the incident be preserved and made available to the committee.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the minister warned.
The committee will be chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members are AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retd.); Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.
Others are Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
21 NSCDC officers suspended
The government also released the names and positions of 20 NSCDC officers suspended in connection with the incident, in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
They are:
1. O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
2. Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed
3. Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed
4. Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday
5. Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis
6. Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
7. HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi
8. O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado
9. Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
10. Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale
11. Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada
12. Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar
13. Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman
14. Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya
15. Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman
16. Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi
17. Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu
18. Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed
19. Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah
20. Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi
The minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
The development comes after President Tinubu ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths, stressing that the government would not tolerate mass deaths resulting from official negligence.
