The Nigerian Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over suspected illegal mining activities.
The committee is mandated to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths, as well as determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct connected with the incident.
In a statement made available to State House Correspondents on Saturday, 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 deaths.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers connected with the incident pending the outcome of the investigation, including the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and 20 other officers whose names and duties were released by the ministry.
Describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, the minister said the Nigerian Government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of the incident.
PRESS STATEMENT
FG constitutes independent committee to investigate reported deaths of 37 people in NSCDC custody, releases full list of suspended officers
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has constituted a ten-member independent committee to investigate the… pic.twitter.com/yO5Ik6rpbw
— Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (@BTOofficial) September 19, 2026
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Olayinka Buhari; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee has also been directed to recommend appropriate action against anyone found responsible, determine possible compensation where applicable and propose measures to prevent a recurrence.
According to the minister, the committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected with the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
Tunji-Ojo directed the leadership of the NSCDC and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation and ensure that records and material evidence relating to the incident were preserved and made available to investigators.
He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The committee has two weeks to conclude its investigation and submit its report to the minister.
Tunji-Ojo also extended condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
President Tinubu had on Friday ordered an investigation covering the arrests, conditions of detention, medical attention provided and events leading to the deaths.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 17, involving persons detained by the Niger State Command of the NSCDC on suspicion of illegal mining.
The Interior Minister subsequently led a Nigerian Government delegation to Niger State over the deaths, which have been reported as involving 37 artisanal miners.
