FG sets up panel over deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners
… suspends 20 NSCDC officers
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people detained by the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on suspicion of illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, adding that 20 officers of the NSCDC in Niger State had been suspended in connection with the incident.
Tunji-Ojo said the committee was constituted following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for “a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation” into the deaths, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Describing the incident as deeply disturbing, the minister said the Federal Government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the deaths.
He directed the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the independent investigation, while warning the leadership and personnel of the Corps against interfering with the process.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
The minister further directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and preserve all records and material evidence connected to the incident for investigators.
According to the statement, the committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrests, detention and deaths.
It is also mandated to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Ciroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members are AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retd.); Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a 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 of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The statement said the committee could 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 of Interior.
Among the 20 NSCDC officers suspended, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, are the 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, Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and officers listed for guard duties, including IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.
The development followed reports surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody.
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, had earlier raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the deaths, alleging that some of the deceased had blood and foam in their mouths and burns on their bodies.
However, the circumstances and cause of the deaths remain subject to investigation by the independent committee.
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation gets underway.
