The Federal Government has formally inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to probe the deaths of 37 people who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The individuals had been detained on suspicion of illegal mining.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo inaugurated the panel on Tuesday in Abuja, acting on a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services Jonathan Kure chairs the committee, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, serves as secretary.
Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a histopathology expert and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju; Mrs. Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst Dr. George Agbakahi.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while held by the NSCDC Niger State Command. They had been arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on September 15 and 16. The exact cause of the deaths remains undetermined.
Tunji-Ojo thanked the president for ordering the probe, describing it as a step toward delivering justice for the victims.
He offered condolences to the families of the deceased and called for calm while the investigation proceeds.
The minister stressed that the committee’s composition leaves no room for justice to be denied and urged members to uphold their integrity.
The panel has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the minister. Its mandate includes establishing the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances of their arrest and detention, determining the cause of death, identifying any responsibility or misconduct, and recommending appropriate actions, including possible compensation and preventive measures.
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