Panel on Niger deaths begins sitting

The Independent Committee of Inquiry into the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced sittings.

This was disclosed in a statement by the committee’s secretary, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma.

According to the statement, the committee held its inaugural meeting immediately after being sworn in and adopted a work plan to guide the conduct of its investigation.

In line with the work plan, the committee will visit all relevant sites, engage with relevant government agencies, and interview survivors, suspects and other persons with material knowledge of the incident. It will also gather all documents and other materials necessary to establish the full facts of the matter.

The committee’s medical team has already begun work to determine the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths.

The panel appeals to members of the public to support its work and has resolved to invite memoranda from interested individuals and organisations.

“Details regarding the submission of memoranda, including the venue and date for physical presentations, will be communicated in due course,” the secretary said.

The committee reaffirms its commitment to conducting a thorough, fair, transparent and evidence-based inquiry, and will keep the public informed as its work progresses.

Recall that on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated a committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 miners who mysteriously died in the custody of NSCDC.