The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has given a 10-member independent committee two weeks to investigate the deaths of 37 people detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over suspected illegal mining.
Tunji-Ojo inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja following a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The minister said the investigation was aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensuring justice for the victims.
He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing.
Addressing the committee, Tunji-Ojo granted its members full access to relevant facilities, documents and locations connected to the incident.
“You have full authority to work with relevant experts, assess all facilities and documents without hindrance, visit all relevant locations, and conduct forensic examinations,” the minister said.
He also directed the leadership of the NSCDC and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee throughout the investigation.
“I have also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with this committee; all records and material evidence connected to this incident must be preserved and made available,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo said the calibre of members appointed to the committee should give Nigerians confidence that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly and independently.
“As you can see from the membership of this committee, there is absolutely no excuse for justice not to be done. Let your performance and your sustained integrity over the years justify what will be done,” he said.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.
The committee also includes 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 public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.
The cause and circumstances of the deaths have not yet been established.
The committee is expected to examine relevant records, facilities, evidence and locations as it works to determine what happened.
The panel has been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
‘You have full authority to work with relevant experts, assess all facilities and documents without hindrance, visit all relevant locations, and conduct forensic examinations…
‘I have also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with this… pic.twitter.com/aq82EpW5BY
— Channels Television (@channelstv) September 22, 2026
