The medical team of the Independent Committee of Inquiry investigating the deaths of 37 people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has commenced work to determine how they died.
The committee said the medical team would establish the cause, mechanism and manner of the deaths as part of its investigation.
The development was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement by the committee’s Secretary, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN.
Chiroma said the committee held its inaugural meeting after its members were sworn in and adopted a work plan to guide the investigation.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command after they were arrested over suspected illegal mining. The cause of the deaths has not been established.
The Federal Government constituted the 10-member independent committee following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on September 22.
Committee Begins Investigation
The committee said it would visit all relevant sites and engage with government agencies connected to the incident.
It will also interview survivors, suspects and other people with information that could help establish what happened.
“The Committee will visit all relevant sites, engage with relevant government agencies, and interview survivors, suspects and other persons with material knowledge of the incident,” the statement said.
The panel will also collect documents and other materials needed to establish the facts surrounding the deaths.
“It will also gather all documents and other materials necessary to establish the full facts of the matter,” the committee said.
The Federal Government had earlier directed that the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention and deaths be investigated. It also suspended officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Panel To Examine Detention Conditions
Tunji-Ojo said the committee’s mandate includes identifying the deceased, determining the immediate and remote causes of their deaths and examining the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.
The minister also directed the panel to determine whether the detention facility complied with relevant laws, procedures and human rights standards.
It will investigate whether the detainees were tortured, treated inhumanely or denied medical care while in custody.
The committee will also examine whether negligence or professional misconduct by any officer contributed to the deaths.
“Interview all relevant persons, including the officers involved, other detainees, families of the deceased, witnesses and medical personnel, and any other persons with relevant information,” the minister said.
Tunji-Ojo warned against attempts to interfere with the investigation or destroy evidence.
The committee has also resolved to invite memoranda from interested individuals and organisations. Details on how and where submissions can be made will be announced later.
It reaffirmed its commitment to conducting “a thorough, fair, transparent and evidence-based inquiry” and said it would keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.
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