The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member Independent Investigative Committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State.
The committee was inaugurated in Abuja by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister charged members of the committee to carry out their assignment independently and without interference.
Dr Tunji-Ojo said the committee must establish the truth behind the incident, describing justice as the greatest responsibility owed to the families of the deceased.
He said the committee would determine the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
It is also expected to establish, through medical and forensic examinations, the cause and manner of death, and determine whether there was negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty.
The committee is further expected to recommend appropriate disciplinary measures, compensation where applicable, and steps to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to fully cooperate with the investigation and ensure that all records and material evidence relating to the incident are preserved and made available.
He warned against any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation.
Dr Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians that no officer found culpable would be shielded, regardless of position.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Jonathan Kure, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, serves as Secretary.
Other members are retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; Niger State Secretary to the Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman; and retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Idris Kuta.
Others are the National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman; lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Mr Jonathan Kure, described the appointment as a call to national service.
He assured Nigerians and the families of the deceased that the committee would conduct its investigation with an open mind and base its findings strictly on established facts.
The committee is expected to commence its assignment immediately and submit its report within two weeks.
The Ministry of Interior made this known in a statement signed by its Head of Press and Public Relations, Mary Ali, on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026.
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