FG Sets Up Panel to Probe Deaths of 37 in NSCDC Custody

…As FG Suspends 20 more officers

By Adebola Muili

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 on suspicion of illegal mining.

The committee was constituted by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, 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 involved in the incident, including the Niger State Commandant of the Corps, pending the outcome of the investigation.

In a statement signed by the Minister on Saturday, September 19, Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as deeply disturbing, saying the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.

He said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrest, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

The committee is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.

The Minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee, while ordering that all records and material evidence connected with the incident be preserved and made available to the investigators.

“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” Tunji-Ojo warned.

The committee is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, 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; and a representative of the Niger State Government.

Also on the committee are Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.

The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.

It has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister.

The 20 other NSCDC officers suspended, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, are 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; and Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino.

Others are 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; and Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi.

The Minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.