The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has suspended the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and 20 other officers over the reported deaths of 37 detainees in the command's custody.
The suspension followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive for a comprehensive investigation into the deaths, which reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The victims were said to have been detained following arrests linked to suspected illegal mining activities in Niger State.
The Minister directed that all officers connected to the incident remain suspended pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into what happened.
Among those suspended are the 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; and Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino.
Others include the HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi; O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado; Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed; Guard Duty officers IC Abdullahi Sale, IC Mohammed Sonfada, CAI Liman Abubakar, CAI Bala Usman, IC Mohammed Jiya and DSC Isah Suleiman.
Also suspended are CAI Ahmed Wushishi, IC Sale Adamu, IC Haruna Mohammed, ASCI Aliyu Sallah and CAI Isah Sanusi.
The suspensions are separate from the independent committee set up by the Minister to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The committee has been mandated to establish the identities of the deceased, examine their arrest and detention, determine the cause and circumstances of their deaths and establish whether any officer was responsible through negligence, misconduct or other actions.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all officers involved to cooperate with the committee and preserve all documents and material evidence connected to the case.
He warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
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