Miners’ Death: FG Constitutes 10-member Panel, Suspends 20 NSCDC Officers

The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development in a statement on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a “comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation” into the incident.

The deaths reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, while the 37 individuals were in NSCDC custody on suspicion of illegal mining.

Tunji-Ojo also directed the suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.

The committee, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.

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It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Describing the incident as “deeply disturbing”, the minister said the government owes the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what happened.

The committee’s secretary is former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN).

Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olayinka Buhari; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper journalist, Zainab Suleiman Okino; and Public Affairs Analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.

The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.

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

The minister also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee, while ordering that all records and material evidence relating to the incident be preserved.

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

Suspended NSCDC officers

In addition to the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, the minister ordered the suspension of 20 officers linked to the incident.

They are:

O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed
Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed
Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday
Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis
Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi
O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado
Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale
Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada
Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar
Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman
Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya
Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman
Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi
Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu
Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed
Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah
Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi

Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.

The Federal Government said the investigation is expected to provide answers on the identities of the deceased, how they were arrested and detained, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.