The Federal Government has released the full list of 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) suspended over the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the Corps’ custody in Niger State.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspended the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and 20 other officers pending the conclusion of an independent investigation into the incident.

The deaths reportedly occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The Ministry of Interior announced the suspension in a statement signed by the minister on Saturday.

The statement said the suspension was part of measures taken alongside the establishment of a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident.

According to the ministry, the committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, as well as the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

The committee was also directed to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct and recommend appropriate disciplinary action and compensation where applicable.

The 20 other NSCDC officers suspended are:

O/C Station Guard, SC Usman Isah Ndamaka

Station Guard, ASCI Hassan Mohammed

Station Guard, CCA Bala Mohammed

Arresting Officer/O/C Investigation, CSC Oluwadare Sunday

Arresting Officer, DCC Obafemi Elvis

Arresting Officer, CSC Annas Shitto Lamino

HOD INT/INV, DCC Philip Ajayi

O/C Legal, ACC Barr. Stephen Tsado

Night Duty Officer, ASCI Alhassan Mohammed

Guard Duty, IC Abdullahi Sale

Guard Duty, IC 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, CAI Isah Sanusi