FG Names Adeyanju, Chiroma, Others to Probe Niger Miners’ Deaths

The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the committee on Saturday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the incident.

The deaths occurred on Thursday, September 17, after the individuals were arrested in connection with suspected illegal mining activities. The circumstances and cause of the deaths remain subject to investigation.

The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; and Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria.

Lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, Blueprint Newspaper’s Zainab Suleiman Okino and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi are also members of the committee.

The panel has been mandated to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrests, detention and deaths. It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.

The minister directed the NSCDC leadership and relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation and preserve all records and material evidence connected to the incident.

He warned that any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.

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

It has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.

Meanwhile, the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers have been suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Adeyanju has accepted his role on the committee and said he would not accept any payment, stipend or honorarium for participating in the probe.

He said he joined the committee to protect the interests of the victims and help ensure that the truth surrounding the deaths is established.