The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State after being detained over suspected illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the committee’s constitution on Saturday, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.
The circumstances and cause of the deaths have not been established. The government has ordered an investigation to determine what happened and whether any individuals or institutions were responsible.
In a statement signed by the minister, the government said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrests, detention and deaths.
It would also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.
The committee also includes Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.
According to the statement, the committee may co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.
The committee has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the minister.
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing.
