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By Woke Joshua
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The deceased were reportedly arrested in connection with alleged illegal mining activities before their deaths in NSCDC custody.
Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday, Tunji-Ojo described the incident as “sad and deeply disturbing,” insisting that no life should be lost while in the custody of the state.
“No life should be lost in the custody of the State. This is not who we are,” the minister said.
He expressed the Federal Government’s condolences to the families of the deceased, the Niger State Government and all those affected by the incident.
Tunji-Ojo said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He disclosed that he had earlier ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and all officers who were on duty in connection with the arrests, investigations, legal processes, station and guard duties between September 15 and 17, 2026.
The suspended officers, he said, would remain out of duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
The minister said the committee was mandated to identify the deceased and document the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
It is also expected to establish, through appropriate medical and forensic examinations, the cause and manner of death and determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred.
The panel will also recommend appropriate disciplinary measures, compensation where applicable, and steps to prevent a recurrence.
The committee is chaired by 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 are AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (rtd.); 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.
Others are 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 Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
According to the minister, the composition of the committee was designed to guarantee independence, credibility and professionalism in the investigation.
He authorised the panel to co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and receive memoranda from members of the public where necessary.
Tunji-Ojo gave the committee two weeks to conclude its investigation and submit its report.
He also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the panel and ensure that all records and material evidence relating to the incident were preserved and made available.
The minister warned against any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation.
“To Nigerians, I say this: We owe you the truth. This Committee will give you the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable,” he said.
He appealed to the families of the deceased to remain calm, assuring them that the government would not abandon them.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Jonathan Kure, pledged that the panel would approach the investigation with an open mind and ensure that its integrity was not compromised.
Kure described the assignment as a call to national service rather than an appointment, noting that members had accepted the responsibility because of their commitment to the country.
“This is a privilege and we do not see it as an appointment but a call to national service,” he said.
He recalled that some members of the committee had served the country for about 35 years and remained willing, even in retirement, to respond to calls to contribute to national service.
Kure said he made it clear to the Minister that his acceptance of the assignment was premised on the assurance that his name and integrity would not be compromised.
“When the Minister called me, I said, ‘Honourable Minister, on one condition—you know who I am.’ And he said that was precisely why he was calling me,” he said.
The chairman said he believed the same commitment applied to every member of the committee.
He assured Nigerians that the panel would not be influenced by sentiments or media narratives, but would establish the facts through a thorough investigation.
“We shall ensure justice by going to the field with open minds. We want to give this assurance to Nigerians. We are not swayed by sentiments or media hypes that might have been given,” Kure said.
He pledged that the committee would complete its assignment and submit its report without compromising its integrity.
“We will come back with our report and our integrity intact. We must give hope to this country,” he said.