Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Hon. Minister of Interior, Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people who were being held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining activities.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The deaths reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while the detainees were in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.
The circumstances and cause of the deaths have not been conclusively established, with the Federal Government directing the independent committee to determine what happened and establish responsibility where appropriate.
Tunji-Ojo, who described the incident as deeply disturbing, said the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the circumstances that led to the deaths.
He said the investigation would establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as determine the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
The committee has also been mandated to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct connected with the incident and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister directed the leadership of the NSCDC and all officers connected to the incident to cooperate fully with the investigation.
He also ordered that all records, documents and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to the committee.
Tunji-Ojo warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
10-Member Investigation Committee
The independent 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 Nigerian Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members of the committee are:
- AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
- Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
- Representative of the Minna Emirate Council
- Representative of the Niger State Government
- Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria
- Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist
- Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper
- Dr George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst
The committee is authorised to co-opt relevant experts where necessary and access facilities, documents and other materials required for the investigation.
It may also visit locations connected with the incident and request memoranda or information from members of the public.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
20 NSCDC Officers Suspended
As part of the government’s response to the incident, the Minister also directed the suspension of 20 NSCDC officers in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
The suspensions are pending the conclusion of the independent investigation and are not, in themselves, findings of culpability.
The 20 officers listed by the Ministry 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
- Arresting Officer: CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
- 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
- Guard Duty: CAI Isah Sanusi
The Niger State NSCDC Commandant was also suspended in connection with the incident. Reports identifying the commandant as Suberu Aniviye have been published by Nigerian media outlets.
The development followed growing concern over the deaths and calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the detention of the victims.
The incident has also generated public protests in Minna, with reports indicating that security forces dispersed demonstrators during unrest linked to the deaths. Authorities have maintained that the circumstances surrounding the fatalities require investigation before conclusions can be drawn.
The Minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing.
The Federal Government said the committee’s findings are expected to provide a clear account of the incident and guide further action based on the evidence established during the investigation.
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