FG names 10-member panel to probe deaths of 37 NSCDC detainees

Minister of Interior, Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo. Credit: X/Immigration Service

The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State over suspected illegal mining.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, following a directive by 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 cause of the deaths has not been established, with authorities ordering investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In a statement signed by the minister, the government said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

It would also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable and 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,” he said.

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

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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; 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 relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.

It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the minister.

The minister also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.