{"id":129630,"date":"2026-09-23T05:31:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T04:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=129630"},"modified":"2026-09-23T05:31:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T04:31:29","slug":"meet-10-man-panel-probing-deaths-of-37-suspected-illegal-miners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/meet-10-man-panel-probing-deaths-of-37-suspected-illegal-miners\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet 10-Man Panel Probing Deaths of 37 Suspected Illegal Miners"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to probe the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.<\/p>\n

The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.<\/p>\n

It is mandated to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.<\/p>\n

The deceased were among persons arrested by the NSCDC during enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining in Niger State. They were found dead in custody on September 17, although the precise circumstances and causes of their deaths remain subject to investigation.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the inauguration, Tunji-Ojo said the government owed the families of the deceased and Nigerians the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo life should be lost in the custody of the State. This is not who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

The minister had earlier ordered the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and officers responsible for arrest, investigation, legal, station and guard duties between September 15 and 17, pending the outcome of the investigation.<\/p>\n

The committee is chaired by Jonathan Kure, mni, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, serves as Secretary.<\/p>\n

Other members are Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma (rtd.); Professor Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; a representative of the Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and human rights activist; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and Dr George Agbakahi, a public affairs analyst.<\/p>\n

The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased and determine the immediate and remote causes of their deaths, including the time and place of death.<\/p>\n

It will also investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, examine the legality and suitability of the detention facility, determine the duration of their detention and assess compliance with relevant laws and human rights standards.<\/p>\n

The panel will further determine whether the deceased were subjected to torture or inhumane treatment or denied medical care while in custody.<\/p>\n

Tunji-Ojo said the committee had been granted full authority to access relevant facilities and documents, visit locations connected to the incident, conduct forensic examinations, co-opt experts and receive memoranda from members of the public.<\/p>\n

The committee is expected to submit an interim report within two weeks.<\/p>\n

The minister also directed the NSCDC leadership and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the investigation and ensure that all records and material evidence relating to the incident are preserved.<\/p>\n

He warned against any attempt to frustrate the probe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct this investigation shall be treated as a serious offence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tunji-Ojo also assured Nigerians that any officer found culpable would not be shielded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe owe you the truth. This Committee will deliver the truth. No officer, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded if found culpable.\u201d<\/p>\n

The deaths have triggered public concern and protests in Minna, with questions raised over the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.<\/p>\n

The Interior Ministry subsequently suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the investigation.<\/p>\n

Tunji-Ojo said the committee’s work should go beyond establishing individual responsibility to recommending reforms that would strengthen accountability and safeguard the lives of persons held in state custody.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is germane, however, is for the Committee to channel that capacity towards a thorough, impartial, and transformative process, one that will strengthen accountability and safeguard lives.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Lizzy Chirkpi The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent investigative committee to probe the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":129631,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nMeet 10-Man Panel Probing Deaths of 37 Suspected Illegal Miners - Pointblank News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/meet-10-man-panel-probing-deaths-of-37-suspected-illegal-miners\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Meet 10-Man Panel Probing Deaths of 37 Suspected Illegal Miners - 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