Nigeria’s government to investigate deaths of miners in Niger State, sets up 10-man committee

By Victoria Chukwuani

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday, September 22nd, inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to probe the deaths of 37 illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.

 As reported by TheNewsGuru, the committee inauguration follows a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The Deputy Director-General of Nigeria’s Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, will chair the committee, followed by former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, who will serve as secretary.

Other members are 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 committee members are 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.

It would be recalled that the thirty-seven detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while being held by the NSCDC Niger State Command.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the deaths and have ordered an investigation to find out what happened.

The minister thanked Tinubu for setting up the committee and ordering an investigation, saying this step is meant to ensure justice for the victims.

Tunji-Ojo offered condolences to the families of those who died and asked everyone to remain calm while the investigation continues.

The minister added that the committee has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the minister