By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Federal Government has named retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Jonathan Kure, mni, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, as the Chairman and Secretary respectively of the 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 persons detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, over alleged illegal mining.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, 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; and Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria.
Also on the panel are lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper, and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.
The Minister disclosed this in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
Recall that the deaths reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while the individuals were in NSCDC custody.
Tunji-Ojo described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and said the Federal Government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians a transparent account of what led to the deaths.
He also ordered the suspension of the NSCDC Niger State Commandant and 20 other officers allegedly connected with the arrests, detention and handling of the detainees, pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to the Minister, the independent committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
The committee is also mandated to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to fully cooperate with the committee, while ordering that all 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,” Tunji-Ojo warned.
The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister. It is empowered to co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and invite memoranda from members of the public.
The suspended officers include the Station Guard Officer, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka; Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed; CCA Bala Mohammed; Arresting Officer/OIC Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday; DCC Obafemi Elvis; CSC Annas Shitto Lamino; HOD Intelligence/Investigation, DCC Philip Ajayi; and O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado.
Other suspended personnel are ASCI Alhassan Mohammed, IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya, DSC Isah Suleiman, CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.
Tunji-Ojo extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
