The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held by the NSCDC in Niger State and suspended 20 officers pending the outcome of the probe.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State on suspicion of illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of 20 NSCDC officers involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the investigation. The Niger State Commandant of the Corps had earlier been suspended.
The Minister described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the Federal 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 arrests and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Tunji-Ojo 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 investigators.
“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 is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, 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 (retired); Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected with the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government released the names and positions of the 20 NSCDC officers suspended in connection with the incident.
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 Usma; 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 Minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
The committee’s investigation follows President Tinubu’s earlier directive that the circumstances surrounding the deaths be thoroughly examined, including the arrests, detention conditions, medical attention provided and events leading to the deaths.
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