Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has accepted his appointment as a member of the Federal Government’s 10-member committee investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
Adeyanju, who disclosed this in a statement posted on his social media handles on Saturday, said he accepted the responsibility to ensure that the interests of the victims were adequately represented and that the circumstances surrounding their deaths were fully established.
He said he would serve on the committee solely to protect the victims’ interests and ensure that the truth was uncovered.
“I urge the Government not to make any monetary provision, stipend or honorarium for members of the committee, as this is a national duty for which we should be prepared to sacrifice,” Adeyanju said.
He added that he would not accept any payment and would personally bear his hotel, transportation and other expenses during the investigation.
Adeyanju also warned against any attempt to compromise the probe, shield those responsible or suppress evidence.
“I will not participate in or tolerate any attempt to compromise the investigation or cover up wrongdoing,” he said.
“If there is any attempt to shield those responsible or suppress the truth, I will expose it. The victims deserve justice, and the Nigerian factor as we know it must not be allowed to prevail.”
The committee was constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the deaths, which occurred on September 17, 2026.
The 37 persons were reportedly arrested on September 15 and 16 during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal and artisanal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State before being detained in Minna.
Their deaths were reported on September 17, while protests followed in Minna on September 18.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the suspension of all officers involved in the incident pending the outcome of the investigation.
The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrest, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.
It will also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable, as well as measures to prevent a recurrence.
The minister directed NSCDC authorities and other relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and preserve all records and material evidence connected to the incident.
He warned that attempts to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation would be treated as a serious offence.
The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigeria Law School, serves as secretary.
Other members include retired AIG 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; Miners Association of Nigeria National Secretary, Liman Sulaiman; Blueprint Newspaper journalist, Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The committee may co-opt relevant experts, access necessary facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident and receive memoranda from members of the public.
It has two weeks to complete the investigation and submit its report to the Minister of Interior.
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on four United Nations Special Rapporteurs to intervene over the reported deaths in NSCDC custody and alleged use of lethal force against protesters in Minna.
In an urgent appeal dated September 18 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the UN to demand answers from Nigerian authorities and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the deaths and reported use of force against protesters are established.
The organisation said deaths or serious injuries in custody should be subjected to prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigations, with those responsible identified and brought to justice where wrongdoing is established.
SERAP further called for accountability for any unlawful conduct and effective remedies for victims and their families.