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.
The development followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of officers involved in the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Government has established a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody.
- Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, will chair the committee.
- Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN) will serve as secretary, while lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju is among the members.
- The committee will examine the identities of the deceased, their arrests and detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
- The NSCDC Niger State Commandant and 20 other officers have been suspended pending the investigation.
- The committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Interior Minister.
Why FG Ordered the Probe
The Federal Government’s decision to establish the committee came after the reported deaths of people held by the NSCDC Niger State Command on suspicion of illegal mining.
President Tinubu directed that the circumstances surrounding the incident be subjected to a comprehensive investigation.
Tunji-Ojo subsequently constituted the independent committee and directed that officers connected to the incident be suspended while the investigation is underway.
The Minister described the reported deaths as deeply disturbing and said the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of what happened.
What the Committee Will Investigate
The committee has been tasked with establishing the identities of the deceased and examining the circumstances surrounding their arrests and detention.
It will also investigate the cause and circumstances of the deaths.
Beyond establishing what happened, the committee is expected to determine whether there was responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct connected to the incident.
It will also recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, and measures that could help prevent a recurrence.
Who Is on the 10-Member Committee?
The Federal Government appointed the following individuals to serve on the independent committee:
- Jonathan Kure, mni — retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services — Chairman
- Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN) — former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School — Secretary
- AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
- Prof. Olayinka Buhari — Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the 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
The committee may also co-opt relevant experts where necessary as it carries out its assignment.
Officers Suspended Pending the Probe
In addition to the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, the following officers have been suspended pending the conclusion 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
The source material states that the suspensions are to remain in place pending the conclusion of the independent committee’s investigation.
Evidence and Records Must Be Preserved
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee.
He also ordered that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to investigators.
The Minister warned against any attempt to interfere with the process.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence.”
The committee will therefore have access to relevant facilities and documents as it works to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths.
The Committee Has Two Weeks to Submit Its Report
The committee has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Interior Minister.
As part of its mandate, it may visit relevant locations, access necessary facilities and documents, and request memoranda from members of the public.
The committee can also bring in relevant experts where their expertise is considered necessary to its work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the committee constituted?
The committee was constituted to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held by the NSCDC Niger State Command over suspected illegal mining.
Who is heading the investigation?
Jonathan Kure, mni, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, is the chairman of the committee.
Is Deji Adeyanju a member of the committee?
Yes. Deji Adeyanju, identified in the statement as a lawyer and human rights activist, is one of the 10 committee members.
What will the committee investigate?
It will establish the identities of the deceased and examine their arrests, detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths. It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct where applicable.
How many people are reported to have died?
The source statement refers to 37 reported deaths involving people held by the NSCDC Niger State Command.
Have NSCDC officers been suspended?
Yes. The Niger State Commandant and 20 other officers named in the statement have been suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.
How long will the investigation take?
The committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Interior Minister.
Can the committee bring in additional experts?
Yes. The committee may co-opt relevant experts and access facilities and documents necessary for its assignment.
What happens if evidence is concealed or witnesses are intimidated?
The Minister warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence.
What’s Next?
The independent committee is expected to begin its investigation into the reported deaths, examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests and detention of the deceased, and determine the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It is also expected to establish whether responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct occurred and recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its findings to the Interior Minister, while the government has appealed for calm as the investigation continues.
