Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, while being held by the NSCDC Niger State Command over alleged illegal mining activities.
The cause of the deaths has not been established, with the government directing the panel to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to a statement by Tunji-Ojo, the committee will establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrest and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It will also determine whether there was responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a recurrence.
“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” the minister warned.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.
Other members include 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; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government; and Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria.
The panel also includes lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint Newspaper representative Zainab Suleiman Okino, and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee has been empowered to visit relevant locations, access facilities and documents, invite memoranda from members of the public and co-opt relevant experts where necessary.
It has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
The minister also ordered the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC commandant and 20 other officers connected with the arrests, detention and handling of the detainees pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!