Juliana Francis
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee in a statement issued on Saturday, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The deaths reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after the suspects were arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining in Niger State.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
Describing the deaths as “deeply disturbing,” the minister said the Federal Government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what happened.
He said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
According to him, the panel would also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, while recommending appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
“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.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee.
He also 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.
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 are 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; and a representative of the Niger State Government.
Others are Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspapers; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The committee has been empowered to co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
The Federal Government also released the names of 20 additional NSCDC officers suspended in connection with the incident, apart from the already suspended Niger State Commandant of the Corps, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye.
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
- Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi
The minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing.
The development comes amid growing calls for an independent investigation into the deaths and clarification of the circumstances surrounding the detention and deaths of the suspected illegal miners.
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