OrionTimes News Desk| September, 26 2206
The Federal Government has inaugurated the 10-member independent committee set up to investigate the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The committee, constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The reported deaths occurred on September 17, 2026, after the suspects were arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna, Niger State.
The Federal Government said the committee’s mandate includes establishing the identities of the deceased, examining the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, and determining the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It is also expected to establish whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or other forms of responsibility were involved and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
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, serves as Secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman of the Miners Association of Nigeria; human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst Dr. George Agbakahi.
The committee has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior. It may also co-opt relevant experts, visit locations connected to the incident, access necessary documents and facilities, and receive memoranda from members of the public.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
The President had earlier stressed that the fact that the detainees were suspected of illegal mining did not remove their rights to life, dignity and humane treatment while in government custody.
Tinubu directed that the investigation should examine the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees when they were taken into custody, the conditions under which they were held, medical attention provided to them and the events leading to their deaths.
The Niger State Police Command has also commenced its own investigation after taking over the scene of the incident, while the deaths have generated calls from civil society organisations, lawyers and other stakeholders for transparency and accountability.
The actual circumstances and cause of the deaths remain subject to investigation.
The Federal Government has appealed for calm as the various investigations proceed.
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