RismadarVoice Reporters
September 19, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), alongside the Niger State Commandant of the corps, following the deaths of 37 miners in custody.
The miners reportedly died in an NSCDC holding facility in Niger State on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The government has also constituted a 10-member panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the measures on Saturday, saying the decision followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu for a “comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation” into the incident.
The suspended officers include personnel responsible for station security, investigation, legal affairs and duty supervision.
They are:
- SC Usman Isah Ndamaka — O/C Station Guard
- ASCI Hassan Mohammed — Station Guard
- CCA Bala Mohammed — Station Guard
- CSC Oluwadare Sunday — Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation
- DCC Obafemi Elvis — Arresting Officer
- CSC Annas Shitto Lamino — Arresting Officer
- DCC Philip Ajayi — HOD, Intelligence/Investigation
- Barr. Stephen Tsado — O/C Legal
- ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — Day/Night Duty Officer
- IC Abdullahi Sale
- IC Mohammed Sonfada
- CAI Liman Abubakar
- CAI Bala Usman
- IC Mohammed Jiya
- DSC Isah Suleiman
- CAI Ahmed Wushishi
- IC Sale Adamu
- IC Haruna Mohammed
- ASCI Aliyu Sallah
- CAI Isah Sanusi
The Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC was also suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Federal Government named the following persons as members of the independent panel:
Jonathan Kure, retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) — Chairman
Isa Hayatu Ciroma, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School — Secretary
AIG Hosea Hassan Karma, retired — Member
Prof. Olayi Professori, Professor of histopathology and former Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital — Member
Representative of the Minna Emirate Council — Member
Representative of the Niger State Government — Member
Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary, Miners Association of Nigeria — Member
Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist — Member
Zainab Suleiman Okino, Blueprint Newspapers — Member
Dr George Agbakahi, public affairs analyst — Member
The government said the panel could co-opt additional experts where necessary and would have access to relevant facilities, documents and locations connected to the incident.
It may also request memoranda from members of the public as part of its investigation.
The panel has been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
