FG Constitutes 10-Member Panel to Probe Deaths of 37 Miners in Custody, Suspends 21 NSCDC Personnel
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 alleged illegal mining activities.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the panel on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17.
The minister also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as “deeply disturbing,” stressing that the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
The panel is also mandated to determine issues of responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant personnel to cooperate fully with the committee and ordered the preservation and release of all records and material evidence connected to the incident.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
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The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; 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; a representative of the Niger State Government; 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 Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, visit locations connected to the incident, access necessary facilities and documents, and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
Meanwhile, 20 NSCDC personnel, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, have been suspended in connection with the incident.
Those suspended include the Officer-in-Charge of Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer and Officer-in-Charge of Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; DCC Obafemi Elvis; CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; Head of Intelligence/Investigation, DCC Philip Ajayi; Officer-in-Charge of Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and Guard Duty officer, IC Abdullahi Sale.
Others are IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.
The minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the independent investigation proceeds.
By PRNigeria
