Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has inaugurated a 20-member committee to investigate the deaths of 37 artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state.
The committee, inaugurated on Saturday, September 19, 2026, is headed by the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, with Barrister Maurice Bello Magaji as secretary.
Bago charged the committee to conduct a thorough, professional and impartial investigation, saying the circumstances surrounding the deaths must be established.
He directed the members to visit all relevant locations and invite key witnesses, survivors, families of the deceased and other stakeholders who could assist in determining what happened.
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“The entire world is watching and waiting for the outcome of the investigation,” the governor told the committee, urging members to expedite their assignment.
Full list of committee members
- Yakubu Garba — Chairman/Deputy Governor
- Representative of the Nigeria Police Force
- Representative of the Department of State Services (DSS)
- Representative of the Nigerian Army
- Representative of the 013 Quick Response Force (Air Force)
- Sadiq Yusuf
- Bello Ibrahim
- Representative of the Niger State Ministry of Health
- Kango Yakoi Obed
- Suleman Dauda Chukuba
- Barr. Maurice Bello Magaji — Secretary
Co-opted members
- Muhammad Qasim Danjuma
- Salisu Ali
- Representative of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- Representative of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ)
- Representative of the Minna Emirate
- Representative of the Imam Forum
- Representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
- Representative of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
- Representative of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN)
The committee has also called on members of the public with relevant information to submit memoranda to assist the investigation.
Memoranda may be submitted at House No. 38, Okada Road, from 9am to 4pm daily, between Monday, September 21 and Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Information may also be submitted via Stildagash@gmail.com or WhatsApp on +234-7077754039.
The state government appealed to the public to cooperate with the committee as it works to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
