The Federal Government has constituted an independent 10-member committee to investigate the deaths of 37 detainees in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining.
The members of the committee are Mr Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, as chairman; Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, as secretary; AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired); Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; and a representative of the Minna Emirate Council.
Others are a representative of the Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The move followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent, and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Tunji-Ojo also directed the suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the outcome of the independent committee’s investigation.
He described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
The Minister directed the committee to determine responsibility and establish whether there was any complicity, negligence or misconduct. He also directed it to recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Tunji-Ojo further directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee. He also ordered that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to the investigators.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
Tunji-Ojo noted that the committee could co-opt relevant experts, access all necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.
He added that the committee had two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to him.
The Minister also listed the suspended officers, including the Niger State Commandant of the Corps, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye.
The suspended officers are the Officer-in-Charge, Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/Officer-in-Charge of Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; and Head of Intelligence/Investigation, DCC Philip Ajayi.
Others are Officer-in-Charge, Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; Guard Duty officers, IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, and IC Mohammed Jiya.
Also suspended are Guard Duty officers DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah, and CAI Isah Sanusi.
Tunji-Ojo condoled with the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
