The Federal Government has set up a 10‑member independent committee to probe the death of 37 people who were detained by the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on 17 September 2026.
The committee was formed by Minister of Interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo after a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation. He also ordered the suspension of all officers suspected of involvement in the incident.
Its mandate is to establish the identities of the deceased, examine the circumstances of their arrest, detention and death, and determine any responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct. The panel will recommend sanctions, compensation where appropriate and measures to prevent a recurrence, while preserving and submitting all records and evidence.
Chairman Mr Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director‑General of the Department of State Services, will lead the panel with Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director‑General of the Nigerian Law School, as secretary. Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, professor of histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human‑rights activist Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public‑affairs analyst.
The committee may co‑opt additional experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant sites and request memoranda from members of the public. It has two weeks to complete its work and submit a report to the Minister.
Among the officers suspended are the Niger State Commandant of the Corps and a list of personnel including O/C Station Guard SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, Station Guard ASCI Hassan Mohammed, Arresting Officer O/C Investigation CSC Oluwadare Sunday, DCC Obafemi Elvis, and others. The full list of suspended staff is provided in a government statement.
Minister Tunji‑Ojo warned that “any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence.” He urged all NSCDC leadership and relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
