37 NSCDC Detainees’ Deaths: FG Inaugurates 10-Man Panel to Probe Niger State Incident
The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10 member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
PulseNets learnt that the 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, after they were arrested by the NSCDC Niger State Command over alleged illegal mining activities.
The deaths have generated public concern, while the exact cause of the fatalities has yet to be conclusively established. The Federal Government has now tasked the independent committee with determining what happened before, during and after the deaths.
According to the government, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths. It will also examine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any other form of responsibility contributed to the incident.
The committee is 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 include retired Assistant Inspector General of Police 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 another representative of the Niger State Government are also members of the panel.
The Miners Association of Nigeria is represented by its National Secretary, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman.
Other members are lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint Newspaper representative 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.
The Federal Government said the panel is authorised to visit locations connected with the incident, access relevant facilities and documents, and obtain other materials required for the investigation.
It can also request memoranda from members of the public and co-opt relevant experts where necessary.
Speaking during the inauguration, Tunji-Ojo said the government was committed to establishing the facts surrounding the deaths and ensuring that the investigation was not obstructed.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the minister warned.
He also directed the NSCDC leadership and officers connected to the incident to cooperate fully with the committee.
The minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
The government had earlier ordered the suspension of officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
Among those suspended are the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers involved in the arrest, investigation, detention and supervision of the suspects.
The development followed growing public concern over the deaths and demands for an explanation of what happened while the victims were in government custody.
The incident also triggered protests in Minna, with security agencies deployed as authorities moved to contain tensions following the deaths. Reports from the protests indicated clashes between demonstrators and security personnel.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago had earlier declared a period of mourning for the victims as the state government responded to the incident.
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The circumstances surrounding the detention have also raised questions about the conditions under which the suspects were being held.
Survivors and relatives of some of the deceased have made allegations concerning overcrowding and the treatment of detainees. These claims remain subject to investigation and have not been established as facts by the government. Reports by Reuters and other outlets have also documented allegations concerning overcrowded detention conditions, while authorities await definitive findings on the cause of death.
The exact cause of the deaths remains a central issue for the independent committee to determine.
