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The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
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Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo charged the committee to establish the identities of the deceased, reconstruct the circumstances of their arrest and detention, and determine when, where, and how they died
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Tunji-Ojo vowed that no officer, regardless of rank, would be protected if found culpable, while warning that anyone who destroys or conceals evidence, intimidates witnesses or obstructs the investigation will face the full weight of the law.
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Chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, the committee has two weeks to submit its report and can access relevant documents and facilities, visit locations, conduct forensic examinations and receive memoranda from the public.
September 22, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to probe the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, charging the panel to uncover the truth and ensure that those found responsible face the consequences of the law.
The inauguration followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths, which occurred on September 17 after the suspects were arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in Niger State.
Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as deeply disturbing, stressing that government institutions must remain places of safety, confidence and security rather than locations where preventable deaths occur.
“No life should be lost in the custody of the State. This is not who we are. This is not what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands for,” the minister said, adding that the Federal Government owed Nigerians and the families of the deceased the truth, particularly because different accounts and figures had emerged concerning the incident.
Panel Charged To Establish What Happened
Tunji-Ojo charged the committee to identify the deceased and establish the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
The panel is expected to determine the exact time and place of the deaths and establish the immediate and remote causes through appropriate medical and forensic examinations.
It is also mandated to examine the legality and conditions of detention and determine whether relevant laws and human rights standards were observed.
The minister directed the committee to investigate allegations of torture, denial of medical care, negligence, misconduct, complicity, or any other breach of duty by officials involved in the arrest and detention of the suspects.
The panel is expected to review available medical and autopsy reports, interview relevant stakeholders and examine all available documentary and forensic evidence in order to establish what happened.
It is also to determine responsibility where wrongdoing is established and recommend appropriate sanctions, prosecution or compensation where applicable.
Beyond the immediate incident, Tunji-Ojo said the committee must recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
‘No Officer, No Matter How Highly Placed, Will Be Shielded’
The minister gave the committee an explicit assurance that it would be allowed to work independently, while warning officials and other persons against interfering with its assignment.
“We owe Nigerians the truth. This Committee will give you the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable,” he declared.
Tunji-Ojo warned that anyone who attempted to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would face the full weight of the law.
He directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and preserve all records and material evidence connected with the incident.
The committee has authority to access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected with the incident, conduct forensic examinations and receive memoranda from members of the public.
Tunji-Ojo said the assignment was not merely to investigate the deaths but also to ensure justice for the deceased and recommend reforms capable of preventing similar occurrences.
“This report will not be swept under the carpet. Whoever needs to be prosecuted and dealt with in line with the law will face it,” he said.
The minister appealed to the families of the deceased to remain calm and patient, assuring them that the government would not abandon them.
He also thanked President Tinubu for directing the investigation, saying the committee was being inaugurated in honour of the deceased and in the interest of justice and national peace.
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Kure: We Will Work With Open Minds
Responding on behalf of the committee, its chairman, retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure, described the assignment as a national call to service.
Kure assured Nigerians that members would approach the investigation with open minds and without sentiments, media pressure, or preconceived conclusions.
“We are here to give justice where it is required. We can only get justice by leaving here and going to the field with open minds,” he said.
He assured Nigerians and the grieving families that the panel would establish the facts and return with a report reflecting its findings.
Kure said members of the committee had served the country for several decades and understood the responsibility attached to their integrity and reputation.
“We will do the exercise and come back with our integrity intact. We must give hope to this country,” he said.
While Kure heads the committee, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, serves as secretary.
Other members are retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, 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 the National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; journalist Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The composition brings together representatives and professionals with backgrounds in security, law, medicine, mining, traditional institutions, civil society, media and public affairs.
Background
The 37 suspected illegal miners were arrested during NSCDC operations against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16. They subsequently died while in custody on September 17.
The cause of the deaths has not been conclusively established. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak and said medical examination would establish the actual cause.
A survivor, however, told The Associated Press that detainees had been held in a poorly ventilated and overcrowded cell and suggested that some may have died from suffocation. Those accounts remain matters for investigation rather than established findings.
The deaths triggered protests in Minna and intensified calls for an independent investigation. The Federal Government subsequently suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and other personnel linked to the detention operation.
The NSCDC has since placed 24 personnel in protective custody and commenced internal disciplinary proceedings, while the Niger State Police Command also launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Federal Government’s independent panel is therefore expected to establish the full chain of events — from the arrests and conditions of detention to the medical circumstances surrounding the deaths — and determine whether negligence, misconduct, abuse or other breaches of duty occurred.
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.
