The Federal Government has taken decisive action over the death of 37 people in Niger State, ordering the suspension of officers allegedly connected to the incident and constituting an independent 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the measures following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The deaths reportedly involved people who were being held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, on suspicion of illegal mining.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Death of 37 People in Niger State Triggers Independent Investigation
According to the Minister, the death of 37 people in Niger State is deeply disturbing and requires a full account of what happened during their arrest and detention.
Tunji-Ojo said the government has a responsibility to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
The independent committee has therefore been tasked with establishing the identities of the deceased and examining the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.
It will also investigate the cause and circumstances of the deaths and determine whether responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct was involved.
The committee is expected to recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures aimed at preventing a recurrence.
The Minister has ordered the suspension of officers allegedly connected to the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
The suspension is in addition to that of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC.
The affected officers are:
- 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 government said the suspensions are intended to allow the investigation to proceed independently.
10-Member Committee to Probe Death of 37 People in Niger State
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the death of 37 people in Niger State.
The committee comprises:
- Mr Jonathan Kure, mni — retired Deputy Director-General, Department of State Services — Chairman
- Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN — former Director-General, Nigeria Law School — Secretary
- AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
- Olayinka Buhari — Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
- Representative of the Minna Emirate Council
- Representative of the Niger State Government
- Alhaji Liman Sulaiman — National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria
- Mr Deji Adeyanju — lawyer and human rights activist
- Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino — Blueprint Newspaper
- Dr George Agbakahi — Public Affairs Analyst
The committee has been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
It has been empowered to co-opt relevant experts and access facilities and documents considered necessary for its work.
The committee may also visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.
The government has directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Authorities have also been instructed to preserve all records and material evidence relating to the incident and make them available to investigators.
The Minister warned that any attempt to interfere with the investigation would attract serious consequences.
He specifically warned against the destruction or concealment of evidence, intimidation of witnesses or any other attempt to obstruct the committee’s work.
The directive is intended to ensure that the investigation has access to relevant evidence and testimony needed to establish what happened.
The Federal Government has extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
The committee’s findings are expected to clarify the identities of those who died, the circumstances surrounding their detention, the cause of their deaths and whether any officers or other persons bear responsibility.
The outcome is also expected to inform any disciplinary, legal or other measures recommended by the committee.
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