BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to probe the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

The investigation, ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is expected to establish how the detainees died, determine whether any official misconduct or negligence occurred and recommend appropriate action where wrongdoing is established.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said government institutions must never become places where people lose their lives in custody.

He said the government received reports on September 17, 2026, that the 37 detainees arrested in connection with suspected illegal mining had died while in NSCDC custody.

“No life should be lost in the custody of the State. This is not who we are. This is not what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands for,”

Tunji-Ojo said.

He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State, describing the incident as a grave moment for the country.

The minister disclosed that he had ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and all officers involved in arrest, investigation, legal, station and guard duties between September 15 and 17.

According to him, the officers will remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Panel to determine cause of deaths

The committee, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.

Former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, will serve as secretary.

The panel is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and document the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.

It will also undertake appropriate medical and forensic examinations to determine the cause and manner of death, while examining whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty contributed to the deaths.

The committee is further expected to recommend disciplinary measures, compensation where applicable, and safeguards to prevent a recurrence.

Its membership includes retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olayinka Buhari; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.

FG warns against interference

Tunji-Ojo said the committee had broad powers to access relevant documents and facilities, visit locations connected with the incident, conduct forensic examinations, engage experts and receive memoranda from members of the public.

He also directed the NSCDC leadership and all officers concerned to cooperate fully with the investigation and preserve every record and piece of material evidence relating to the deaths.

The minister warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the committee’s work would be treated as a serious offence.

He said the government would not protect any officer found culpable.

“No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable,”

Tunji-Ojo declared.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Kure described the assignment as a national responsibility, assuring Nigerians that the panel would conduct its work with an open mind and without sentiment or media pressure.

He pledged that the committee would protect the integrity of its findings and submit its report within the stipulated period.

The actual cause of the 37 deaths, the circumstances surrounding them and whether any individual or institution bears responsibility remain to be established by the investigation.