The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the panel on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered probe into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17.
The victims were among those arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state.
Committee members:Jonathan Kure, mni (retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services) – Chairman
Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School – Secretary
AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
Representative of the Minna Emirate Council
Representative of the Niger State Government
Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria
Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist
Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper
Dr. George Agbakahi, public affairs analyst
The committee is mandated to establish the identities of the deceased, examine the circumstances of their arrest and detention, determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths, identify responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct, and recommend appropriate actions, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
It may co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit locations linked to the incident, and receive memoranda from the public.
The panel has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the minister.Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully and ordered that all records and material evidence be preserved.
He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The minister also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the probe.
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