FG Suspends 20 NSCDC Officers, Sets Up Panel to Probe Deaths of 37 Detainees in Niger
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| Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Minister of Interior of Nigeria) |
The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and set up a 10-member independent committee to investigate the reported deaths of 37 people held by the Corps' Niger State Command on suspicion of illegal mining.
Announcing the measures in a statement on Saturday, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the committee was constituted on the directive of President Bola Tinubu for "a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation" into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Calling the deaths deeply disturbing, the Minister said the government owes the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events that led to the incident.
Tunji-Ojo ordered the suspension of all officers involved pending the conclusion of the committee's investigation. He also cautioned the Corps' leadership and officers against interfering with the process.
"Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence," he warned. He directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and to preserve all records and material evidence connected to the incident for investigators.
According to the statement, the committee is to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention, and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
The Minister further directed the committee to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and to recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.
The committee is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS). Prof. Isa Hayatu Ciroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Director General of the Nigeria Law School, serves as Secretary.
The other members are:
- - AIG Hosea Hassan Karma (retired)
- - Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a 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
- - Mr Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist
- - Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper
- - Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst
The statement said the committee may co-opt relevant experts, access all necessary facilities and documents, visit relevant locations, and request memoranda from members of the public. It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister.
Besides the Niger State Commandant of the Corps, those suspended include:
- - 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, Barr. Stephen Tsado
- - Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
A further group of officers listed for guard duty were also suspended:
- 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.
The Minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
One thing to check: the article says 20 officers were suspended, but the names listed add up to 21 (the Commandant plus 20 others). You may want to verify the figure against the original statement.
