FG Sets Up Panel to Probe Deaths of 37 Suspected Illegal Miners in Niger State, Releases Names of Suspended Officers
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government is f Nigeria has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Niger State over alleged illegal mining activities.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, constituted the committee following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on September 17, 2026.
The government said the committee will establish the identities of the deceased, investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, and determine the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It is also mandated to establish responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Isa Hayatu Chiroma, former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members are: AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (rtd.), Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Representative of the Minna Emirate Council,
Representative of the Niger State Government, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria, Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist Zainab Suleiman Okino, Blueprint Newspaper and Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst.
The Federal Government said the committee may co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit locations connected with the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
The Minister also warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
21 NSCDC officers has been suspended.
The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, had earlier been suspended. The government subsequently suspended 20 additional officers allegedly connected with the incident, bringing the number of suspended personnel to 21.
The suspended officers are:
SC Usman Isah Ndamaka — O/C Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed — Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed — Station Guard, CSC Oluwadare Sunday — Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, DCC Obafemi Elvis — Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino — Arresting Officer,
DCC Philip Ajayi — HOD INT/INV, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado — O/C Legal, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — Day/Night Duty Officer and IC Abdullahi Sale — Guard Duty.
Others are: 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 and CAI Isah Sanusi — Guard Duty.
The deaths occurred after the suspects were arrested during NSCDC operations around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna on September 15 and 16. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while other accounts have raised questions about detention conditions and overcrowding. The actual cause and circumstances of death remain subject to investigation.
The National Human Rights Commission has also commenced a preliminary investigation, while calls have been made by civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association and others for an independent and transparent inquiry.
The Federal Government said the investigation is intended to provide a transparent account of the incident and ensure appropriate action based on its findings.
(Source: Federal Ministry of Interior/State House)
