The federal government has set up a 10-member independent Committee to investigate the deaths of 37 detainees held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, on suspicion of illegal mining.
In a statement, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who constituted the committee, stated that the action follows a directive by President Bola Tinubu, for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
The action follows a directive by President Bola Tinubu, for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
The Minister had directed the suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the independent committee’s investigation.
Describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, the Minister said the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.
The independent committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
He directed the committee to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct, and to recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the Committee, while further directing 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,” according to the Minister who extends his condolences to the families of the deceased and appeals for calm while the investigation continues.
Members of the Committee are, Mr Jonathan Kure, retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services, as Chairman, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Assistant Inspector Generator police, AIG Hosea Hassan Karma, retired, Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital are listed as members of the committee alongside
Representative of the Minna Emirate Council.
In the same vein, representative of the Niger State Government are Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria are Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist, Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper and Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst.
The statement added that the Committee may co-opt relevant experts, access all necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public. It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister.
In the meantime, the federal government has suspended, the following NSCDC officers in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps:
The affected officers include, O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed, Station Guard and CCA Bala Mohammed.
The arresting Officers/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday, DCC Obafemi Elvis, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino and Head of Department, HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi.
Other affected officers are, O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado, Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale and Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada.
In addition, 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, and Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi.
In the meantime, the Inspector-General, IGP Olatunji Disu has stated that police operatives have take charge of the crime scene, towards ensuring that the investigation is not compromised.
The Nigerian police chief spoke during his visit to Niger State where he sent his condolences to the victims families.
