The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The 37 detainees were reportedly being held on suspicion of illegal mining before their deaths on Thursday, September 17.
The minister also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident, pending the outcome of the investigation.
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.
According to the statement, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and ensure that all records and material evidence relating to the incident are preserved and made available to investigators.
He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, 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 retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; 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.
The committee also includes Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
It may also co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and invite memoranda from members of the public.
In addition to the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, the minister announced the suspension of 20 officers linked to the incident.
They include station guards, arresting and investigating officers, intelligence and investigation personnel, legal officers and officers who were on day, night and guard duties at the facility.
Those suspended 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 minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing.
The government said the investigation is intended to provide a transparent account of the incident and establish responsibility for the deaths.