Following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State, the Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
The panel has been tasked with uncovering both the immediate and remote causes of the deaths, as well as examining the events and conditions surrounding the detainees’ time in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the Federal Government is determined to establish the facts, ensure accountability where necessary and provide answers to the families of the deceased.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, serves as secretary.
The panel has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the Federal Government.
Its membership also includes retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; alongside representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government.
The Interior Minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command. They had reportedly been detained over alleged illegal mining activities.
The exact cause and circumstances of the deaths remain unclear. The independent investigation is expected to establish what led to the fatalities, determine whether any lapses or other factors contributed to the deaths, and provide recommendations for further action.
The outcome of the inquiry is expected to clarify the events surrounding the incident and help authorities determine the appropriate next steps.
