37 DIE IN NSCDC CUSTODY: FG MOVES TO CLEAN UP NIGER DETENTION CRISIS, SUSPENDS 20 OFFICERS

 Minister constitutes 10-member independent panel — Full list of suspended officers released — Government admits need for transparent account

By Okwo Romeon Abuja 

The Federal Government has moved to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, amid mounting questions over how the detainees were arrested, detained and managed before the tragedy.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,
The Minister of Interior on Saturday constituted the committee.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Saturday constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident and ordered the suspension of all officers directly connected with the detention and handling of the suspects, in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.

The development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The scale of the tragedy, coupled with conflicting accounts surrounding its immediate cause, has intensified scrutiny of the NSCDC’s handling of the detainees and the initial response to the incident.

The Corps had initially reported a suspected disease outbreak after detainees were found dead. It subsequently said that the actual cause of death had not been established and would require medical and laboratory investigations.

The situation has also generated public anger and protests in Minna, forcing the Niger State Government to impose a curfew. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago had earlier declared three days of mourning following the deaths.

Reports that as many as 67 detainees were held in an NSCDC cell before 37 died have further raised questions about detention capacity and the management of suspects in custody. The precise cause of death, however, remains subject to investigation.

‘Government owes Nigerians transparent account’

Announcing the independent inquiry, Tunji-Ojo described the deaths as deeply disturbing, stressing that the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of what happened.

The committee has been mandated to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate their arrests and detention, determine the cause and circumstances of their deaths, and establish whether there was responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct.

It is also expected to recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

The Minister directed NSCDC authorities and all relevant officers to provide the committee with unrestricted access to records and material evidence connected with the incident.

He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.

Independent panel

The 10-member committee is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General, Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigeria 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 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 committee may co-opt additional experts, visit relevant locations, access facilities and documents and invite memoranda from members of the public.

It has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister.

20 officers suspended

In addition to the suspended Niger State Commandant, the government released the names of 20 other officers suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

They include Station Guard Officer SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; ASCI Hassan Mohammed; CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/OIC Investigation CSC Oluwadare Sunday; DCC Obafemi Elvis; CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; HOD INT/INV DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; and Guard Duty officers 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 suspensions underscore the seriousness with which the Federal Government is treating the incident, while stopping short of determining individual culpability before the investigation is concluded.

The police are also investigating the deaths. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu said the Nigeria Police Force would work with the Niger State Government and NSCDC to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The tragedy has consequently exposed serious questions about detention management, accountability, communication and oversight within the security architecture, with the independent inquiry now expected to determine what went wrong and who, if anyone, should be held responsible.

37 young miners killed by undisclosed incident in security detention in Mina Niger state North central Nigeria.

The Minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigations continue.