A ten-member independent committee has been set up by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to investigate the deaths of 37 people who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, after being arrested on suspicion of illegal mining.
The committee, according to a statement on Saturday by the Minister, was constituted following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who called for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Alongside setting up the panel, the Minister ordered the suspension of all officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
Describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, Tunji-Ojo said government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of what led to the incident.
The committee has been tasked with establishing the identities of the deceased and examining the circumstances of their arrest, detention, and death. It is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct among those involved, and to recommend appropriate sanctions, 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, and ordered that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to investigators.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
Members of the Committee:
1. Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services — Chairman
2. Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General, Nigeria Law School — Secretary
3. AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
4. Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
5. Representative of the Minna Emirate Council
6. Representative of the Niger State Government
7. Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria
8 Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist
9. Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper
10. Dr George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations, and request memoranda from the public. It has two weeks to submit its report to the Minister.
Officers Suspended (in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps):
1. O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
2. Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed
3. Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed
4. Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday
5. Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis
6. Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
7. HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi
8. O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado
9. Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
10. Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale
11. Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada
12. Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar
13. Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman
14. Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya
15. Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman
16. Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi
17. Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu
18. Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed
19. Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah
20. Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi
The Minister extended condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while investigations continue.
