The Federal Government has named 21 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers suspended over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the corps’ custody in Niger State.
The officers include the Niger State Commandant and 20 others whose names and designations were released by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The minister also announced the constitution of a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The action followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The minister had earlier directed the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to conduct a full-scale investigation, prompting the Niger State Commandant and other key officers to step aside.
According to reports, 37 suspected illegal miners died while in custody at an NSCDC detention facility after they were arrested over alleged illegal mining activities near Borgu, Niger State.
A survivor who spoke to the Associated Press reportedly said about 65 people had been held in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell, raising concerns that some detainees may have suffocated.
The NSCDC initially suggested that the detainees may have been victims of a possible diphtheria outbreak but later said the cause of death had not been established and would require medical and laboratory confirmation.
The independent committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Tunji-Ojo said the deaths were deeply disturbing and that the families of the deceased and the public were entitled to an account of what happened.
He directed the NSCDC leadership and other relevant officers to cooperate with the committee and ordered that records and material evidence connected to the incident be preserved and made available to investigators.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the minister warned.
The committee will be chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof Olayinka Buhari, 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 includes Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.
The panel has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the minister.
It may also co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.
20 NSCDC Officers Suspended
In addition to the Niger State Commandant, the minister released the names and designations of 20 other NSCDC officers suspended over the incident:
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
The minister extended condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
