The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, will serve as secretary.
Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.
The committee also comprises Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist 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 in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.
The circumstances and cause of the deaths have not been established, prompting the Federal Government to order an investigation to determine what led to the incident.
Speaking at the inauguration, Tunji-Ojo thanked President Tinubu for constituting the committee and directing the investigation, saying the move was intended to ensure justice for the victims.
The minister also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
According to him, the committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Ministry of Interior.
Tunji-Ojo said the calibre of the committee members should ensure a credible investigation.
“As you can see from the membership of this committee, there is absolutely no excuse for justice not to be done. Let your performance and your sustained integrity over the years justify what will be done.”
