FG Inaugurates Panel to Probe Deaths of 37 Niger Miners

The Federal Government has inaugurated 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.

The committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the deaths.

Politics Nigeria reports that the victims died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after they were detained by the NSCDC Niger State Command over allegations of illegal mining.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths have generated public concern, with the government yet to establish the exact cause.

The committee is now expected to examine what happened before, during and after the deaths and determine whether any officer or other person bears responsibility.

The Federal Government said the investigation would cover the identities of the deceased, the circumstances of their arrest and detention, as well as the events that led to their deaths.

It will also examine possible negligence, misconduct, complicity or other forms of responsibility connected with the incident.

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 include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police 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 another representative of the Niger State Government are also members of the committee.

The Miners Association of Nigeria is represented by its National Secretary, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman.

Other members are lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint Newspaper representative Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.

The committee has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.

According to the government, the panel is authorised to visit locations connected with the incident and obtain relevant documents and other materials required for the investigation.

It can also request memoranda from members of the public and co-opt relevant experts where necessary.

Tunji-Ojo said the government was committed to finding out what happened and ensuring that the investigation was not hindered.

“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the minister warned.

He also directed the NSCDC leadership and officers connected to the incident to cooperate fully with the committee.

The minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.

The government had earlier ordered the suspension of officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.

Among those suspended are the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and officers involved in the arrest, investigation, detention and supervision of the suspects.

The development followed growing concern over the deaths and demands for an explanation of what happened while the victims were in government custody.

The deaths have also triggered protests in Minna, with security agencies deployed as authorities moved to contain tensions surrounding the incident.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago had earlier declared a period of mourning for the victims as the state government responded to the incident.

Reports from the incident have also raised questions about the conditions under which the detainees were being held.

Some survivors and relatives of the deceased have made allegations about overcrowding and the treatment of detainees, although the government has not established these claims as facts.

The exact cause of death remains a key issue for the independent committee to determine.