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By Woke Joshua
The Federal Government has set up a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The victims were reportedly arrested on suspicion of illegal mining, with the deaths said to have occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the investigation and the suspension of 20 additional NSCDC officers in a statement issued on Saturday.
The action followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
Tunji-Ojo said the government was deeply concerned by the reported deaths and had a responsibility to provide the families of the deceased and the public with a clear account of what happened.
He said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and determine the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
The panel is also expected to establish whether there was responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct by any individual or institution and recommend appropriate measures, including compensation where applicable.
It will further recommend steps to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
The committee is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members include AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (rtd.); Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; human rights lawyer, Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The panel has been empowered to co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit locations linked to the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It is expected to submit its report to the Minister within two weeks.
The government also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant personnel to cooperate fully with the investigation and ensure that records and material evidence connected to the incident are preserved.
Tunji-Ojo warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
Meanwhile, the government released the names and designations of 20 additional NSCDC officers suspended over the incident, in addition to the Niger State Commandant.
The suspended personnel include 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; and ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, Day/Night Duty Officer.
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, all listed as guard-duty personnel.
The Minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed to the public to remain calm as the investigation proceeds.