Niger deaths: FG sets up investigative committee

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

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 (NSCDC) on suspicion of illegal mining.

The committee was constituted by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The minister also ordered the suspension of all officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, Tunji-Ojo said the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.

The committee is mandated to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.

It is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee. He further ordered the preservation and submission 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,” he warned.

According to a statement, the committee is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor 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 may 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.

Meanwhile, the suspended officers include the Niger State Commandant of the Corps and the following personnel: 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, ACC Barrister Stephen Tsado, Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammad, Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale, Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada, Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar, Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman, and Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya

Also on the list are 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 and Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi