The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

The deceased were among persons detained over suspected illegal mining.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

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

Other members are retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.

Also on the committee are Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspapers; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.

The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.

Authorities have yet to establish the cause of the deaths, prompting the Federal Government to order an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Tunji-Ojo thanked Tinubu for setting up the committee and directing the probe, saying the move was intended to ensure justice for the victims.

He condoled with the families of the deceased and appealed for calm as the investigation proceeds.

The minister gave the committee two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.

“From the membership of this committee, there is absolutely no excuse for justice not to be done. Let your performance and your sustained integrity over the years justify what will be done,” he told members.