- The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the reported deaths of 37 people detained by the Corps in Niger State on suspicion of illegal mining.
- The government has also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine responsibility.
The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the reported deaths of 37 people held in the Corps’ custody in Niger State on suspicion of illegal mining.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Saturday, September 19, 2026, alongside the constitution of a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident. The measures followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation.
The reported deaths occurred on Thursday, September 17, while the detainees were in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command. The exact cause and circumstances of the deaths have not been established, with the committee expected to investigate the arrests, detention and events that led to the fatalities.
The panel will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action and compensation where applicable.
The NSCDC had earlier said the detainees died following a suspected outbreak of disease, but the circumstances surrounding the incident have now been placed under independent investigation.
The Federal Government’s decision has triggered strong reactions online, with some Nigerians demanding arrests and accountability, while others welcomed the investigation.
@Freeguysteve: Why are you suspending them? You’re supposed to arrest everybody involved first…
@KingNeropapas: This NSCDC used to be lower even that a traffic warden before 😩😩 Now look at the the heinous crime they have committed!!
@AJEH__: Will this bring back the lost lives
@ann_omatf: 37 lives is not a statistic. We deserve the full truth, accountability and justice. No cover-up. No excuses.
@obi_4_president: Stranger things everyday
@precious_TC8: Staff with that experience of prison and how to handle inmates should be posted to every agency that has holding cells for suspects and that helps solve this
@copboy_: It’s always a bad news day in nigeria
@Shizzyforbez: Give them the same treatment they gave those souls too..
@Russia_dot_Z: Suspended Not arrested
@ibrahimnupe: That’s a good step in a right direction
@Taizinn_: Theybwill come with agenda!!!
@lt_flyboy: Naso
