FG Sets Up 10-Member Panel To Probe Deaths Of 37 In NSCDC Custody
….Suspends 20 Officers
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
The minister said the deaths were “deeply disturbing,” stressing that the government owes the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what led to the deaths.
According to him, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
It is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria 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 of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the minister.
It may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.
The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to fully cooperate with the committee and ensure that all records and material evidence relating to the incident are preserved and made available.
He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
20 Officers Suspended
The government also released the names and ranks of 20 officers suspended in connection with the incident, in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC.
They are:
SC Usman Isah Ndamaka – O/C Station Guard
ASCI Hassan Mohammed – Station Guard
CCA Bala Mohammed – Station Guard
CSC Oluwadare Sunday – Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation
DCC Obafemi Elvis – Arresting Officer
CSC Annas Shitto Lamino – Arresting Officer
DCC Philip Ajayi – HOD INT/INV
ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado – O/C Legal
ASCI Alhassan Mohammed – Day/Night Duty Officer
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 – Guard Duty
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the independent investigation gets underway.
