FG sets up panel to probe deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining.
The investigation follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered probe into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident, including the Niger State Commandant of the Corps, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The minister described the deaths as “deeply disturbing,” saying the government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what led to the incident.
The committee is mandated to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation and ensure that all records and material evidence connected with the incident are preserved and made available to the committee.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
The committee is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General, Mr Jonathan Kure, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigeria 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; a representative of the 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 experts, access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
Meanwhile, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, 20 officers have been suspended pending the investigation.
They include Station Guard Officer, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guards ASCI Hassan Mohammed and CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officers DCC Obafemi Elvis and CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; and Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed.
Others are 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 expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation continues.
