FG Sets Up 10-Member Panel, Suspends 20 NSCDC Officers Over Deaths Of 37 Detainees
By Passman Akpos
The Federal Government has constituted an independent 10-member committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people who were being held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, over alleged illegal mining.
The development followed a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday and directed the suspension of all officers linked to the incident pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Describing the deaths as deeply disturbing, the Minister said the Federal Government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The independent committee has been mandated to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrests, detention and deaths.
It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
Tunji-Ojo directed the leadership of the NSCDC and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee.
He further ordered that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to investigators.
The Minister warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister.
The panel is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members are AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired); 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, visit locations connected to the incident, access facilities and documents and request memoranda from members of the public.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has released the names of 20 NSCDC officers suspended in connection with the incident, in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
They are:
1. SC Usman Isah Ndamaka — O/C Station Guard
2. ASCI Hassan Mohammed — Station Guard
3. CCA Bala Mohammed — Station Guard
4. CSC Oluwadare Sunday — Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation
5. DCC Obafemi Elvis — Arresting Officer
6. CSC Annas Shitto Lamino — Arresting Officer
7. DCC Philip Ajayi — HOD INT/INV
8. ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado — O/C Legal
9. ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — Day/Night Duty Officer
10. IC Abdullahi Sale — Guard Duty
11. IC Mohammed Sonfada — Guard Duty
12. CAI Liman Abubakar — Guard Duty
13. CAI Bala Usman — Guard Duty
14. IC Mohammed Jiya — Guard Duty
15. DSC Isah Suleiman — Guard Duty
16. CAI Ahmed Wushishi — Guard Duty
17. IC Sale Adamu — Guard Duty
18. IC Haruna Mohammed — Guard Duty
19. ASCI Aliyu Sallah — Guard Duty
20. CAI Isah Sanusi — Guard Duty
The suspensions are pending the outcome of the investigation and do not, by themselves, establish criminal responsibility against the officers.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have raised serious questions about the conditions under which the detainees were arrested and held, as well as what happened inside the NSCDC facility before the deaths occurred.
The Federal Government’s decision to establish an independent panel is expected to bring greater scrutiny to the incident and provide answers to the families of the deceased and the wider Nigerian public.
The investigation is expected to establish what led to the deaths, whether established procedures were followed during the arrests and detention, whether there were failures in supervision or duty, and whether any individual or institution should bear responsibility.
The Minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
The Federal Government has also reiterated that evidence connected to the incident must be preserved and that anyone attempting to interfere with the investigation will face appropriate action.
