FG Sets Up 10-Member Panel to Probe Deaths of 37 in NSCDC Custody, Suspends 20 Officers
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development in a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on September 19, 2026, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The Minister also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident, including the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, pending the conclusion of the independent investigation.
Tunji-Ojo described the reported deaths as “deeply disturbing”, saying the Federal Government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the circumstances leading to the incident.
According to him, the committee’s mandate includes establishing the identities of the deceased and investigating the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
The panel is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, including 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 the preservation of all records and material evidence connected to the incident.
“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; a representative of the Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, 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 has the authority to co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.
It has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister.
20 NSCDC Officers Suspended
The Minister also released the full list of officers suspended in connection with the incident.
In addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps, the suspended personnel include SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, Officer-in-Charge of Station Guard; ASCI Hassan Mohammed and CCA Bala Mohammed, Station Guards; CSC Oluwadare Sunday, Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation; DCC Obafemi Elvis and CSC Annas Shitto Lamino, Arresting Officers; and DCC Philip Ajayi, Head of Intelligence/Investigation.
Others are ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado, Officer-in-Charge of Legal; ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, Day/Night Duty Officer; and guard-duty personnel comprising 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 suspensions are to remain in effect pending the outcome of the independent committee’s investigation.
The Minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed to residents and other stakeholders to remain calm while the investigation proceeds.
The Federal Government’s latest action comes amid calls for accountability and clarification of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the suspected illegal miners while in NSCDC custody.
