By Obiabin Onukwugha
The federal government has constituted a 10-man committee to independently investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State, which occurred on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
The federal government also ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Niger State Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and 20 other personnel, pending the outcome of the independent committee’s investigation.
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who disclosed this in a statement he personally signed on Saturday, stated that the action followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu, for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The Minister who described the deaths as deeply disturbing, noted that government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.
The independent committee, according to him, is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
The Minister directed the committee to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct, and to recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the Committee, while further directing that all records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to the investigators.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
Members of the Committee are: Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services, Chairman; Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, Secretary; AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired), Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, representative of the Minna Emirate Council, and representative of the Niger State Government
Others are; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist, Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper and Dr. George Agbakahi, Public Affairs Analyst.
“The Committee may 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,” the statement read.
The other officers suspended according to the Minister, include; O/C Station Guard, 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, HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi, O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado, Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, and Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale
Others are; Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada, Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar, Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman, Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya, Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman, Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu, Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed, Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah, and Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi
The Minister, however, extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
