The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

In a statement on Saturday by , the Interior minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the action followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident which occurred on Thursday.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also directed suspension of officers involved in the incident pending the probe conclusion.

He described the deaths of the alleged illegal miners as deeply disturbing, adding that the government owed the families of the deceased and the Nigerian public a transparent account of the events leading to the incident.

He noted that the committee was expected to establish the identities of the deceased, and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

The minister directed the committee to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence, and misconduct, and to recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence.

He stated, “Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence.”

The committee is chaired a retired deputy director-general of the State Security Service, Jonathan Kure, while a former director-general of the Nigeria Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, will serve as secretary.

Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; a professor of histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olayinka Buhari; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; Liman Sulaiman of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Blueprint Newspaper journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst George Agbakahi.

The minister said the committee could co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and request memoranda from members of the public.

The committee has two weeks to complete its probe and submit its report to the minister.

The minister also released names of 20 NSCDC officers suspended in connection with the incident, alongside the Niger State Commandant of the corps.

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 INT/INV, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado — O/C Legal, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed — Day/Night Duty Officer, IC Abdullahi Sale — Guard Duty.

Others includeIC Mohammed Sonfada — Guard Duty, CAI Liman Abubakar — Guard Duty, CAI Bala Usman — Guard Duty, IC Mohammed Jiya — Guard Duty, DSC Isah Suleiman — Guard Duty, CAI Ahmed Wushishi — Guard Duty, IC Sale Adamu — Guard Duty, IC Haruna Mohammed — Guard Duty, ASCI Aliyu Sallah — Guard Duty and CAI Isah Sanusi — Guard Duty

Mr Ojo extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation was ongoing.