The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, has constituted a 13-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the deaths of 37 persons who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
The committee was constituted in a letter dated September 18, 2026, signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the NBA Minna Branch, Ibrahim Muhammad Ndamitso and Solomon Mamman JIYA, respectively.
The move follows the deaths of persons arrested during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate and Lukoto areas on September 15 and 16. The detainees were found dead at the NSCDC facility in the early hours of September 17. The confirmed death toll of 37 has been reported by the Niger State Government.
The cause of the deaths remains under investigation. Initial accounts attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while other accounts have raised questions about overcrowding, ventilation, detention conditions and possible exposure to substances. Authorities have said investigations and medical examinations are required to establish the actual cause.
According to the NBA Minna Branch, the committee will investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention and deaths, including the number of people detained, the size and condition of the detention facility, access to air, water, food and medical care, sanitary conditions, and the conduct of officers on duty.
The committee will also examine whether the arrests and detention complied with constitutional and other applicable legal requirements, including provisions relating to the right to life, dignity of the human person, personal liberty and fair hearing.
It is further mandated to obtain accounts from survivors and families of the deceased, as well as relevant medical, mortuary and official records. The committee is expected to identify inconsistencies or gaps in available accounts and determine matters that may require further forensic or judicial examination.
The NBA said the committee may engage the NSCDC, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Niger State Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Nigerian Correctional Service, medical authorities, human-rights organisations and families of the victims.
It may also request relevant documents and information, preserve evidence, engage medical, forensic and human-rights experts, and make recommendations on possible legal, administrative and institutional measures.
The committee is headed by Abdallah Jibril, Esq., with Chief J. O. Olukunle, Esq., as Alternate Chairman. The other members are Emmanuel Zachariah, Mohammed Adamu Abugi, Victor Hycenth, Alhassan Hassan, Mustapha Garba, McDonald Njoku, Hussaina Maiyaki, Ibrahim Alhaji Jibrin Wuya, Sarah Gana, Abubakar Ndako Musa and Abdulmumin Jibril.
The committee is required to submit a written report containing its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the NBA Minna Branch Chairman within 14 days of the September 18 appointment letter, or sooner if circumstances require. It is also expected to appoint a secretary from among its members at its inaugural meeting.
The NBA stated that the committee's work would be conducted independently and fairly and would not prejudge ongoing criminal investigations or interfere with the lawful functions of courts and other investigating authorities.
The development comes as government and security authorities continue separate investigations into the deaths. The Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending investigation, while the NSCDC has also initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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