Niger Miners’ Deaths: FG Inaugurates 10-Man Independent Investigative Committee

21st September, 2026 | News

FG Inaugurates Independent Committee to Investigate Deaths of 37 Niger Detainees

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 persons suspected of illegal mining activities in Niger State.

The detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the government was committed to ensuring justice for the deceased and their families.

The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, 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, as well as representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and the Niger State Government.

The committee has been given two weeks to submit its report.

Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation is ongoing.

The cause of the deaths has not yet been established. The committee is expected to investigate the immediate and remote circumstances surrounding the incident and determine what led to the deaths.