By Our Reporter
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17.
The Minister also ordered the suspension of all officers involved in the incident, including the Niger State Commandant of the Corps, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Describing the reported deaths as deeply disturbing, Tunji-Ojo said the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention, as well as the causes and circumstances of their deaths.
The committee is also expected to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, while recommending appropriate action, compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee. He further ordered the preservation and release of all records and material evidence connected to the incident.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he warned.
The committee is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, 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; and representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government.
The committee also includes Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr. George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.
It has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister.
Suspended Officers
The Minister announced the suspension of 20 officers, in addition to the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
The affected personnel 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
- Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale
- 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
- Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
