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The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over suspected illegal mining.
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Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and 20 other officers involved in the arrests, detention, investigation and guarding of the suspects pending the outcome of the probe.
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The committee, chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, has been mandated to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate their arrest and detention, determine the cause and circumstances of their deaths and establish any responsibility, negligence or misconduct.
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The panel has two weeks to submit its report and may visit relevant locations, access official records and other evidence, summon experts and receive memoranda from members of the public as the Federal Government seeks a transparent account of the deaths.
September 19, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people who were held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining activities.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, September 19, 2026, while also releasing the names of 20 NSCDC officers suspended in connection with the incident.
The Niger State Commandant of the Corps has also been suspended, bringing the number of suspended officers to 21.
The development follows President Bola ) Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths, which were reported on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Tunji-Ojo, in the statement announcing the panel, described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the Federal Government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.
The Minister said the investigation would establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and eventual deaths.
The committee is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate action and compensation where applicable.
It will further recommend measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
Panel to Investigate Circumstances Of Deaths
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor 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.
Also on the panel 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 public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
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 assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee.
He also ordered the preservation of all records and material evidence connected with the incident and directed that such materials be made available to investigators.
The Minister warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
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21 NSCDC Officers Suspended
The government also released the full list of NSCDC officers suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The officers, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, are: 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, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — Day/Night Duty Officer, and IC Abdullahi Sale — Guard Duty
Others are: 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 and CAI Isah Sanusi — Guard Duty
The suspensions are administrative measures pending the outcome of the investigation and do not in themselves establish culpability against any of the officers.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
