The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the panel on Tuesday in Abuja following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The 37 detainees reportedly died on September 17, 2026, while being held by the NSCDC Niger State Command. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear, with authorities yet to establish the definitive cause. The incident has raised concerns over the treatment of detainees, the conditions of their detention and the events that preceded the deaths.

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A retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Jonathan Kure, will chair the committee, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), will serve as secretary. Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma and Professor Olayinka Buhari, a histopathology expert and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

The committee also comprises representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government, alongside the National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman. Other members are human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint Newspaper journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi, bringing together expertise from security, medicine, law, media and civil society.

Speaking during the inauguration, Tunji-Ojo commended President Tinubu for ordering the investigation, stressing the need to establish the facts surrounding the deaths and ensure justice. The minister also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed to residents and other stakeholders to remain calm while the committee carries out its assignment.

The panel is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the miners’ detention and deaths, support relevant medical and forensic investigations, and recommend appropriate actions based on its findings. Its work is expected to address questions surrounding the incident and help establish accountability where necessary. The Federal Government has yet to announce the committee’s findings, while the cause of the 37 detainees’ deaths remains unconfirmed.