The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee, including human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident.
The reported deaths occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after the victims were arrested and detained on suspicion of illegal mining.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
The minister said the deaths were deeply disturbing and stressed the need for the government to provide the families of the deceased and the public with a transparent account of what happened.
According to the statement, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, while recommending appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the panel and ordered the preservation of all records and material evidence connected with the incident.
“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 retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, a former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a 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; and Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria.
Adeyanju, a lawyer and human rights activist, is also a member, alongside Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The panel has been given two weeks to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the minister.
The government said the committee could co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
Meanwhile, 20 NSCDC officers have been suspended in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
Those affected include the officer in charge of the station guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer and Officer-in-Charge of Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; and Arresting Officer DCC Obafemi Elvis.
Others are CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; DCC Philip Ajayi, Head of Intelligence/Investigation; ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado, Officer-in-Charge of Legal; ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, Day/Night Duty Officer; and several officers assigned to guard duties.
The minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
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