The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, over alleged illegal mining activities.
The development follows a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
As part of measures to facilitate the investigation, the Interior Minister ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident, including the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, pending the conclusion of the independent inquiry.
Minister Orders Independent Investigation Into 37 Deaths
Describing the reported deaths as deeply disturbing, Tunji-Ojo said the government has a responsibility to provide the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public with a transparent account of what happened.
According to the Minister, the independent committee will establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
The committee will also investigate possible responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.
It will further make recommendations on measures that can prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.
Committee to Examine Evidence and Interview Relevant Persons
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee throughout the investigation.
He also ordered that all records, documents and other material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to the investigators.
The Minister warned against any attempt to interfere with the investigation.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
The committee may 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 been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister.
Members of the 10-Member Investigative Committee
The committee comprises the following members:
- Mr Jonathan Kure, mni — retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services — Chairman
- Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN — former Director-General, Nigeria Law School — Secretary
- AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
- Prof. Olayinka Buhari — Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
- Representative of the Minna Emirate Council
- Representative of the Niger State Government
- Alhaji Liman Sulaiman — National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria
- Mr Deji Adeyanju — lawyer and human rights activist
- Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino — Blueprint Newspaper
- Dr. George Agbakahi — Public Affairs Analyst
NSCDC Officers Suspended Over Niger Incident
In addition to the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, the following officers have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation:
- 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
Minister Appeals for Calm
The Interior Minister extended his condolences to the families of those who died and appealed for calm as the independent investigation gets underway.
The committee’s two-week mandate is expected to provide an account of the events surrounding the arrests and deaths, establish responsibility where applicable, and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.