By Onifade Samuel
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The development follows a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The deceased were among people detained by the NSCDC over alleged illegal mining activities in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the investigative committee alongside the suspension of 20 NSCDC officers connected to the incident.
The Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC had earlier been suspended following the deaths. The additional 20 officers include personnel involved in the arrest and investigation of the detainees, legal duties, station security and guard duties.
The government said the suspensions are pending the conclusion of the independent investigation and should not be regarded as a determination of responsibility.
Panel to Investigate Circumstances of Deaths
The 10-member committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, a former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma, Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government, as well as representatives from the mining sector, civil society and the public affairs community.
The committee has been directed to establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
It is also expected to determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths and establish whether there was any negligence, misconduct, complicity or other form of responsibility connected to the incident.
The panel will further recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures that could prevent a recurrence.
Two Weeks to Complete Investigation
The committee has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
It has been authorised to visit relevant locations, examine necessary documents and facilities, request information from members of the public and bring in additional experts where necessary.
The Federal Government has also directed the NSCDC leadership and relevant personnel to preserve all records and material evidence connected to the incident and cooperate fully with the investigation.
Tunji-Ojo warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The deaths have generated concern in Niger State, with questions being raised over the conditions under which the detainees were held and the circumstances that led to the loss of 37 lives.
The exact cause of the deaths remains subject to investigation. Initial explanations pointed to a possible disease outbreak, while accounts from survivors and other reports have raised questions about the conditions inside the detention facility. Authorities are expected to establish the facts through the investigation.
The Federal Government has appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds, saying the process is intended to establish what happened and determine appropriate action based on the findings.
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