…Releases full list of suspended officers
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent panel to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people that were detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, on suspicion of illegal mining.
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who announced the constitution of the panel, said the action followed a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Tunji-Ojo also directed the immediate suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the conclusion of the independent committee’s investigation.
While describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, Tunji-Ojo stressed that the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to their death.
The minister said that the independent committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
The government directed the committee to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct, and to recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the Committee, while further directing that all records and material evidence connected to the incident should be preserved and made available to the investigators.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” Tunji-Ojo warned.
Members of the Committee include; Mr Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services, as Chairman with AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired), Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and the representative of the Minna Emirate Council, representative of the Niger State Government as members.
Others include; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist, Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino, Chairman, Editorial Board of Blueprint Newspaper, Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School will serve as Secretary.
The Minister said that the Committee may co-opt relevant experts, access all necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.
The committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has approved the suspension of the 20 officers in addition to the commandant of the Niger State Command of the Corps.
The include; 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, and Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada.
Others are 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.
The Minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
