Minna Miners’ Deaths: Adeyanju Rejects Payment For Probe Panel Role, Vows To Protect Victims’ Interests

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has accepted his appointment as a member of the Federal Government’s independent committee investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.

Adeyanju, in a statement 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 established.

The federal government had constituted a 10-member independent committee following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation into the deaths, which occurred on September 17, 2026, while the suspects were in NSCDC custody.

The committee, chaired by retired deputy director-general of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths.

It is also mandated to determine responsibility, complicity, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.

Other members include Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School; retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Liman Sulaiman; Blueprint journalist, Zainab Suleiman Okino; and public affairs analyst, George Agbakahi.

Reacting to his appointment, Adeyanju said he was joining the committee specifically to protect the interests of the victims and ensure that the truth was established.

“I am joining the committee solely to protect the interests of the victims and ensure that the truth is established,” he said.

He urged the federal government not to provide members of the committee with monetary provisions, stipends or honoraria, arguing that the assignment should be treated as a national duty.

“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 personally bear the cost of his participation in the investigation.

“I will not accept any such payment, and I will not participate in or tolerate any attempt to compromise the investigation or cover up wrongdoing. I undertake to take care of my hotel, transportation and other expenses myself,” he said.

Adeyanju also warned that he would expose any attempt to interfere with the investigation or suppress information concerning the deaths.

“If there is any attempt to shield those responsible or suppress the truth, I will expose it,” he said.

The lawyer said the victims deserved justice and urged that the investigation should not be undermined by what he described as the “Nigerian factor.”

“The victims deserve justice, and the Nigerian factor as we know it must not be allowed to prevail,” he said.

The federal government has said the committee will have access to relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected with 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, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The deaths have generated public concern and prompted investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The government has also suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and other officers pending the outcome of the investigation.