The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The development was announced on Saturday, September 19, 2026, by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and independent investigation into the incident.
The 37 suspects reportedly died on Thursday, September 17, while being held by the Niger State Command of the NSCDC over alleged illegal mining activities.
Alongside the establishment of the investigative panel, the Federal Government ordered the suspension of 20 NSCDC personnel from the Niger State Command pending the outcome of the investigation.
Tunji-Ojo said the government considered the deaths deeply disturbing and had a responsibility to provide the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public with a clear account of what happened.
He directed that all officers connected to the incident remain suspended throughout the investigation and warned NSCDC personnel and officials against interfering with the process.
The minister said any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct investigators would be treated as a serious offence.
He also ordered the NSCDC leadership and all relevant personnel to cooperate fully with the committee and preserve documents, records and other materials that could assist the investigation.
Panel’s Terms of Reference
According to the Interior Ministry, the committee is expected to establish the identities of all those who died and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
It will also investigate the cause and circumstances of the deaths, determine whether there was negligence, misconduct, complicity or other forms of responsibility, and recommend appropriate action.
The panel is further expected to recommend compensation where applicable and propose measures to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.
Members of the Investigative Committee
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Professor Isa Hayatu Ciroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members include:
- AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retd.)
- 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
- Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist
- Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper
- Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst
The committee has the authority to invite additional experts where necessary, access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It has been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
20 NSCDC Officers Suspended
Among the officers suspended are the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and personnel involved in the arrest, investigation, detention and guarding of the suspects.
Those listed include SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, ASCI Hassan Mohammed, CCA Bala Mohammed, CSC Oluwadare Sunday, DCC Obafemi Elvis and CSC Annas Shitto Lamino.
Others include DCC Philip Ajayi, Barrister Stephen Tsado, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, 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 those who died and appealed for calm as the independent investigation proceeds.
The deaths have generated widespread concern, with questions surrounding the circumstances of the arrests, the conditions of detention and the events that led to the deaths now expected to be addressed by the panel.
