The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the reported deaths of 37 people held in the Corps’ custody in Niger State on suspicion of illegal mining.
The suspension, which is in addition to that of the Niger State Commandant of the Corps, was ordered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into the incident.
The development followed a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the reported deaths, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Tunji-Ojo also constituted a 10-member independent committee to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrest, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
Describing the deaths as “deeply disturbing,” the minister said the government was committed to ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the incident were thoroughly established.
“The government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident,” he said.
He said the committee had been given a broad mandate to establish what happened to the 37 people from the point of their arrest through their detention and eventual deaths.
According to him, the panel would “establish the identities of the deceased” and “investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.”
The minister further directed the committee to determine “responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct” in connection with the incident.
He said the panel would also recommend “appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.”
Tunji-Ojo directed the leadership of the NSCDC and all relevant officers to provide full cooperation to the committee throughout the investigation.
He also ordered that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to investigators.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the minister warned.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, 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 include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman 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 minister said the committee would have access to the facilities and documents required to carry out its assignment.
The panel may also “co-opt relevant experts, access all necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.”
It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
Among the 20 suspended officers are the Station Guard Officer, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; and HOD Intelligence/Investigation, DCC Philip Ajayi.
Others include O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and several officers assigned to guard duties, 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.
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
He said the independent investigation was necessary to establish the facts surrounding the deaths and determine appropriate action based on the committee’s findings.