The Federal Government has established an independent 10-member committee to investigate how 37 people died while held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. They had been detained on suspicion of illegal mining.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the panel on Saturday, saying it followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a full and transparent investigation.
The detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command. The cause of their deaths has not been established.
In a statement signed by the minister, the government said the panel would identify the deceased and examine the circumstances of their arrest, detention and deaths. It would also determine whether anyone bears responsibility for, or was complicit in, the deaths, or was guilty of negligence or misconduct. It is expected to recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The minister directed NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and to preserve all records and evidence linked to the case. He warned that destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses or obstructing the inquiry would be treated as a serious offence.
The committee has two weeks to submit its report to the minister.
Members of the committee
- Jonathan Kure, retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (Chairman)
- Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School (Secretary)
- Hosea Hassan Karma, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police
- 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, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria
- Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist
- Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper
- Dr George Agbakahi, public affairs analyst
The committee may bring in additional experts, visit locations connected to the incident, obtain documents and receive memoranda from members of the public. Tunji-Ojo also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
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