By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The Federal Government has suspended 20 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were being held in the Corps’ custody in Niger State.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Saturday, September 19, 2026, saying the affected officers would remain suspended pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the incident.

The move followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the deaths, which occurred on Thursday.

The suspended personnel include officers involved in the arrest, investigation, legal duties, station security and custodial responsibilities at the NSCDC facility.

They are SC Usman Isah Ndamaka, ASCI Hassan Mohammed, CCA Bala Mohammed, CSC Oluwadare Sunday, DCC Obafemi Elvis, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino, DCC Philip Ajayi, ACC Stephen Tsado, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed and IC Abdullahi Sale.

Others are 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.

10-member panel constituted

The Minister has also established a 10-member independent committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, serves as secretary.

Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. 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 Niger State Government; and Alhaji Liman Sulaiman of the Miners Association of Nigeria.

The panel also includes lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.

The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as determine the cause of death.

It will also investigate possible responsibility, negligence, complicity or misconduct and make recommendations on appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

The panel has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.

It may also invite additional experts, inspect relevant locations and facilities, examine documents and other evidence, and receive memoranda from members of the public.

Tunji-Ojo directed NSCDC authorities and all personnel connected with the matter to cooperate fully with the investigation and preserve all records and materials relevant to the case.

He further warned that any attempt to conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or interfere with the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.

The minister expressed condolences to the families of those who died and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.