The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the committee on Saturday following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while being held by the Niger State Command of the NSCDC.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear, prompting the Federal Government to order a detailed investigation into what happened while the detainees were in custody.
According to a statement issued by the minister, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
It will also investigate the cause of death and determine whether any individual or organisation bears responsibility, including possible complicity, negligence or misconduct.
The panel is expected to recommend appropriate measures, including sanctions where necessary, compensation where applicable and steps to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The committee will be chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members of the panel are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor 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 has Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper journalist Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi as members.
The government said the committee would have the authority to co-opt experts considered necessary for its investigation.
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It may also inspect relevant facilities, obtain documents, visit locations connected to the incident and invite members of the public to submit memoranda that could assist its work.
The panel has been given two weeks to complete the investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
Tunji-Ojo expressed sympathy to the families of those who died and urged members of the public to remain calm while the investigation is ongoing.