Federal Government Sets Up 10-Member Panel to Probe Deaths of 37 Detainees in NSCDC Custody

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The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to determine the cause of death of 37 individuals detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State over alleged illegal mining activities.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, formally constituted the panel on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in Abuja, acting under a direct executive order issued by President Bola Tinubu.

The panel is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure, with former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, serving as committee secretary.

Other members of the inter-agency committee include:

Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG): Hosea Hassan Karma,

1. Medical Expert: Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

Institutional Representatives: Representatives from the Minna Emirate Council, the Niger State Government, civil society bodies, and relevant security agencies.

The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while held at the NSCDC Niger State Command facility in Minna following a security raid on suspected illegal mining sites in the state. While official sources have not yet established the cause of death, the incident has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocacy groups and public commentators.

Inaugurating the panel, Tunji-Ojo commended President Tinubu for ordering an uncompromising, transparent probe. He charged the committee to conduct an exhaustive investigation without fear or favor to ensure accountability, determine systemic lapses, and deliver justice to the families of the victims.