By Kazeem Waris
The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, over the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Corps in Niger State.
It has also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the measures on Saturday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The detainees reportedly died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after they were arrested during enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State. The cause of the deaths remains subject to investigation. (State House Abuja)
Tunji-Ojo, who described the deaths as deeply disturbing, said the Federal Government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what happened.
He directed that all officers involved in the incident be suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation and warned the NSCDC leadership and personnel against interfering with the process.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the minister warned.
He also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and preserve all records and material evidence connected with the incident.
According to the statement, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances of their arrest and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It is also mandated to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Ciroma, SAN, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, professor of histopathology 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; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.
It is expected to complete its assignment and submit its report to the minister within two weeks.
Among those suspended, in addition to the Niger State Commandant, are the Officer-in-Charge, Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/Officer-in-Charge, Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; and Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino.
Others are HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi; Officer-in-Charge, Legal, Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; as well as officers listed for guard duty, including IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.
The minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
