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.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development on Saturday, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and 20 other officers allegedly connected to the incident, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Minister described the deaths as “deeply disturbing,” stressing that the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of what transpired.
According to him, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
It will also determine issues of responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, while recommending appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General, Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. 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; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper’s Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino; and Public Affairs Analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister.
The Minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to fully cooperate with the investigation and ensure that all records and material evidence connected to the incident are preserved.
He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
Among the suspended officers are the O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis; HOD Intelligence/Investigation, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; and several officers assigned to guard and duty responsibilities.
The Minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the independent investigation gets underway.
