The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee, headed by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Jonathan Kure, to investigate the reported deaths of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, following reports that 37 persons arrested on suspicion of illegal mining died while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo said the committee was constituted in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
He said the government’s immediate priority was to establish the facts surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found culpable would be held accountable.
The Minister said: ‘No life should be lost in the custody of the State. This is not who we are. This is not what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, stands for.
‘This administration was elected on the promise that every Nigerian life matters, and that security must be provided with humanity, professionalism and respect for human rights.’
Tunji-Ojo disclosed that he had ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, as well as all officers who were on duty covering arrest, investigation, legal, station and guard duties between 15 and 17 September 2026.
He said the affected officers would remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to him, the committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased; investigate and document the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention; and determine, through appropriate medical and forensic examination, the cause and manner of death.
The committee is also expected to determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred and recommend appropriate disciplinary action, compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
Members of the committee are Kure, chairman; Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, secretary; retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspapers; and Dr George Agbakahi, public affairs analyst.
The Minister authorised the committee to co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and request memoranda from members of the public in the course of its assignment.
He also directed the NSCDC leadership and relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation, stressing that all records and material evidence connected with the incident must be preserved and made available to the committee.
Tunji-Ojo warned against any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation, saying such actions would be treated as a serious offence.
He assured Nigerians that the government was committed to uncovering the truth, adding that no officer, regardless of position, would be shielded if found culpable.
‘To Nigerians, I say this: We owe you the truth. This committee will give you the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable,’ he said.
He also appealed to the families of the deceased to remain calm and patient, assuring them that the government would not abandon them.
Speaking after his inauguration, the committee chairman, Kure, described the assignment as a call to national service rather than an appointment.
He said members of the committee were committed to protecting their integrity and would approach the investigation without bias or sentiment.
‘This is a privilege and we do not see it as an appointment but a call to national service. Some of us have had the opportunity to serve this nation for 35 years and even in retirement, we are always willing to answer this type of call,’ Kure said.
He disclosed that when the minister approached him to lead the committee, he accepted on the condition that his integrity would not be compromised.
‘When the Minister called me, I said, Hon Minister, on one condition – you know who I am. And he said that was precisely why he was calling me, and I believe it is so with all members of this committee,’ he said.
Kure assured Nigerians that the committee would conduct the investigation with open minds and would not be influenced by sentiments or media reports.
‘We shall ensure justice by going to the field with open minds. We want to give this assurance to Nigerians. We are not swayed by sentiments or media hypes that might have been given.
‘We will come back with our report and our integrity intact. We must give hope to this country,’ he said.