The Federal Government of Nigeria has established a 10-member independent committee to probe the deaths of 37 individuals who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. The committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The victims died on September 17, 2026, after being detained by the NSCDC Niger State Command on allegations of illegal mining.
The committee, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, has been tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determining whether any officer or person bears responsibility. The investigation will cover the identities of the deceased, their arrest and detention, and the events leading to their deaths. The committee will also look into possible negligence, misconduct, or complicity connected to the incident.
The committee comprises members from various backgrounds, including law, security, and medicine. Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary. Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma, Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology, and representatives from the Minna Emirate Council, Niger State Government, and the Miners Association of Nigeria.
The committee has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior. The panel is authorised to visit locations connected to the incident, obtain relevant documents, and request memoranda from the public. The Minister of Interior has warned that any attempt to destroy evidence, intimidate witnesses, or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence.
The government has suspended officers linked to the incident, including the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and officers involved in the arrest, investigation, detention, and supervision of the suspects. The development follows growing concern over the deaths and demands for an explanation of what happened while the victims were in government custody. The deaths have triggered protests in Minna, with security agencies deployed to contain tensions.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has declared a period of mourning for the victims. Reports from the incident have raised questions about the conditions under which the detainees were being held, with some survivors and relatives alleging overcrowding and mistreatment. The government has not established these claims as facts, and the exact cause of death remains a key issue for the independent committee to determine.
The Minister of Interior has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds. The government has assured that the investigation will be thorough and not hindered. The committee's findings are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths and provide recommendations for accountability and prevention of similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member committee to investigate the deaths of 37 miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
- The committee has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
- The government has suspended officers linked to the incident and warned against obstruction of the investigation.
