By Our Reporter
The Federal Government has constituted a ten-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Niger State Command, on suspicion of illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who announced the constitution of the committee on Friday, also ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Corps and 21 other officers allegedly involved in the incident.
The action follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
In a press statement signed by the Minister and made available to newsmen, 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 the events leading to the incident.
The Minister said 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.
According to him, the committee 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, 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,” he warned.
The members of the Committee are Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services, as Chairman, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, as Secretary, AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired), Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the 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 and Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst.
The statement noted 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.
The Minister also released the full list of suspended officers. They are in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
The suspended officers are 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, Guard Duty, 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, and Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi.
The Minister extends his condolences to the families of the deceased and appeals for calm while the investigation continues.
The incident, which involved 37 suspected teenage miners allegedly dying in NSCDC custody in Niger State, has generated nationwide outrage, with human rights groups and civil society organizations demanding an independent autopsy and prosecution of culpable officers.
The Federal Government said the investigation will be transparent and its outcome made public, assuring Nigerians that anyone found culpable will face the full wrath of the law.
