The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 persons held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the committee on Friday, September 19, 2026, saying the action follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation.
The incident, which involved persons arrested on suspicion of illegal mining, occurred on Thursday, September 17, at the Niger State Command of the Corps.
In a press statement signed by the Minister, the Federal Government also announced the immediate suspension of all officers linked to the incident, including the Niger State Commandant of the Corps, and released the full list of 20 additional suspended personnel.
Describing the deaths as “deeply disturbing,” Tunji-Ojo said the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of events.
Mandate of the committee
According to the statement, the committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate their arrests, detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It is also mandated to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and to recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and to preserve all records and material evidence connected to the incident.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
Members of the committee
The committee is chaired by Mr. Jonathan Kure, mni, retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services. 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 CMD, 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 of Blueprint Newspaper
– Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst
The committee may co-opt experts, access facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from the public. It has two weeks to submit its report.
Suspended officers
In addition to the Niger State Commandant, the following 20 officers were suspended:
O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and 11 Guard Duty officers — IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.
The Minister extended condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation lasts.
