The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with the deaths of 37 people detained by the Corps in Niger State over alleged illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the measures on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident, which occurred on September 17, 2026.
The suspension is in addition to the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Corps.
The 20 suspended officers are:
- O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka
- Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed
- Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed
- Arresting Officer / O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday
- Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis
- Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino
- HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi
- O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado
- Day/Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed
- Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale
- Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Sonfada
- Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar
- Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman
- Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya
- Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman
- Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi
- Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu
- Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed
- Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah
- Guard Duty, CAI Isah Sanusi
The Minister also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as Secretary.
Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma, Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a representative of the Minna Emirate Council, a representative of the Niger State Government, Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper, and Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate their arrest and detention, determine the cause and circumstances of their deaths, and recommend appropriate sanctions, compensation where necessary, and measures to prevent recurrence.
It has been given two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report.
The Minister warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence.
