The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member Independent Investigative Committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
According to an official statement signed by Mary Ali, Head, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, the committee was inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tunji-Ojo charged the committee to operate independently and without interference, stressing that its primary responsibility was to establish the truth behind the deaths and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
The Minister said the best gift the country could offer the families of the deceased was justice, describing it as a debt owed to Nigerians who lost their lives.
He commended President Tinubu for his prompt intervention and expressed confidence in the calibre and integrity of the committee members, many of whom, he noted, had rendered between 35 and 40 years of distinguished service to the nation.
The committee is mandated to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, and determine through appropriate medical and forensic examinations the causes and manner of their deaths.
It is also expected to determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred, as well as recommend appropriate disciplinary measures, compensation where applicable and steps to prevent a recurrence.
Tunji-Ojo directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to fully cooperate with the investigation and ensure that all records and material evidence connected to the incident were preserved and made available to the committee.
He warned against any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation.
“We owe you the truth. This committee will give you the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable,” the Minister said.
The committee is chaired by Mr Jonathan Kure (Rtd.), a former Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, serves as Secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the Niger State Government; and retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Idris Kuta.
Also on the committee are Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a Public Affairs Analyst.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Kure described the appointment as a call to national service rather than a privilege.
He assured Nigerians and the families of the deceased that the committee would conduct its assignment with open minds and base its findings strictly on evidence gathered during the investigation, rather than sentiment or media speculation.
Kure pledged that the integrity of the committee would remain intact throughout the exercise, expressing confidence that its findings would help restore public confidence and provide hope to the affected families.
The committee is expected to commence its assignment immediately and submit its report within two weeks.
