The Federal Government of Nigeria has established a 10-member independent committee to probe the deaths of 37 individuals detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The committee's inauguration follows a directive by President Bola Tinubu to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, chaired the inauguration ceremony in Abuja.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services. Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as the committee's secretary. Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma, Prof Olayinka Buhari, a representative of the Minna Emirate Council, and a representative of the Niger State Government.
The committee also comprises Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; Deji Adeyanju, a lawyer and human rights activist; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst. The 37 detainees died on September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command. The cause of their deaths has not been established.
Authorities have ordered an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing. He thanked President Tinubu for constituting the committee and directing an investigation into the incident.
The Minister of Interior stated that the committee's establishment aims to ensure justice for the victims. He also mentioned that the committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to him. The investigation's outcome is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the miners' deaths.
The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees by security agencies in Nigeria. The committee's report is anticipated to provide recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Federal Government's move to investigate the incident demonstrates its commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring accountability.
The committee's inauguration marks the beginning of a thorough investigation into the incident. The government has assured the public that it will take necessary actions to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, and the investigation's outcome is eagerly awaited by the public.
Key points
- The Federal Government has established a 10-member committee to investigate the deaths of 37 miners detained by the NSCDC in Niger State.
- The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services.
- The committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
