BREAKING: FG SETS UP COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE DEATHS OF NIGER MINERS
Read Time:1 Minute, 33 Second
By:Aminat Tajudeen
The Federal Government has inaugurated 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, inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, serves as secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.
The panel also comprises Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.
The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear, prompting the Federal Government to order an investigation to establish what happened.
Speaking at the inauguration, Tunji-Ojo thanked President Tinubu for setting up the committee and directing an investigation, saying the move was intended to ensure justice for the victims.
The minister also sympathised with the families of the deceased and urged the public to remain calm while the investigation continues.
According to him, the committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Ministry of Interior.
Tunji-Ojo expressed confidence in the panel members, noting that their experience and integrity should ensure a thorough investigation and a credible outcome.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0