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Adeyanju Rejects Payment for Niger Miners’ Probe, Vows to Expose Any Cover-Up

Published

3 weeks ago

September 19, 2026

Adeyanju Faults Okpebholo’s Governance, Commends Edo Anti-Kidnapping Efforts

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju

Adeyanju Rejects Payment for Niger Miners’ Probe, Vows to Expose Any Cover-Up

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has rejected any payment, stipend or honorarium for his participation in the Federal Government’s investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) custody in Niger State, describing the assignment as a national duty.

Adeyanju, who was appointed to the 10-member independent committee constituted by the Federal Government, said he accepted the role primarily to ensure that the interests of the victims are represented and that the circumstances surrounding their deaths are fully established.

Adeyanju urged the government not to make any financial provision for members of the committee, saying he would personally pay for his accommodation, transportation and other expenses arising from his participation in the investigation.

He also pledged not to tolerate any attempt to compromise the process, suppress evidence or shield anyone found responsible for the deaths.

Adeyanju warned that any attempt to protect those responsible or suppress the truth would be exposed, stressing that the victims deserved justice.

His position came shortly after the Federal Government established the 10-member independent committee following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the incident.

The committee is chaired by retired Department of State Services (DSS) Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, serves as secretary.

Other members include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Hosea Hassan Karma, Professor Olayinka Buhari, representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government, Liman Sulaiman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, journalist Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper and public affairs analyst Dr George Agbakahi.

The panel has been directed to establish the identities of the deceased and examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest, detention and deaths. It is also expected to determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or other wrongdoing contributed to the incident and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.

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The committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. It has also been authorised to access relevant documents and facilities, visit locations connected to the incident, receive memoranda from members of the public and co-opt experts where necessary.

The government has separately suspended 20 NSCDC officers in connection with the deaths, in addition to the earlier suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The deaths occurred after suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The exact number of people held before the deaths has become part of the controversy, with conflicting accounts emerging over the number of detainees and the conditions in which they were held.

The cause of death remains officially unresolved.

The NSCDC initially said a suspected disease outbreak might have been responsible and that the bodies were sent for medical examination. However, survivors have provided accounts suggesting that overcrowding and poor ventilation may have contributed to the deaths.

One survivor, Dauda Shehu, reportedly said detainees were packed into a poorly ventilated cell and that those inside began struggling to breathe before some of them collapsed. He also alleged that detainees called for help as the situation deteriorated.

Another survivor reportedly alleged that a substance resembling perfume was sprayed inside the cell shortly before detainees began experiencing difficulties. The allegation has not been independently established and remains among the issues that investigators will have to examine.

The conflicting accounts have heightened demands for an independent determination of the cause and circumstances of the deaths, rather than reliance on preliminary explanations.

The incident has also triggered public protests in Minna, the Niger State capital, with residents demanding answers and accountability over the deaths. Security authorities moved to contain the unrest, while a curfew was imposed following disturbances.

The Federal Government has called for calm and said that anyone found culpable would face appropriate consequences, while insisting that the investigation should be allowed to establish the facts before conclusions are reached.

The government’s response has also included efforts to preserve potential evidence connected to the incident, while the suspended NSCDC personnel remain subject to investigation.

The deaths have generated broader concerns about custodial conditions, treatment of detainees and accountability within security agencies, alongside the government’s continuing campaign against illegal mining.

Illegal mining remains a major challenge in several parts of Nigeria, with authorities raising concerns about environmental degradation, loss of government revenue and the activities of criminal networks associated with illegal mining operations.

However, the investigation into the Niger State deaths is focused specifically on what happened to the people after they were arrested and placed in NSCDC custody.

For Adeyanju, the priority is to ensure that the committee’s work is not compromised by political, institutional or financial considerations.

His decision to reject payment means he will participate without accepting a stipend or honorarium from the government, while personally covering expenses associated with his role.

The committee’s findings are expected to address the conditions under which the detainees were held, the medical attention they received, the events immediately preceding the deaths, the precise cause of death and whether any individual or institution bears responsibility.

Until those findings are released, the circumstances surrounding the 37 deaths in NSCDC custody remain subject to investigation.

Adeyanju has said he will use his position on the committee to represent the victims’ interests and oppose any attempt to suppress the truth as the Federal Government seeks to determine what led to the tragedy and whether anyone should be held accountable.

Adeyanju Rejects Payment for Niger Miners’ Probe, Vows to Expose Any Cover-Up

Related Topics:Adeyanju Cover Up Niger Miners payment

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Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

Published

58 minutes ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested five suspects in separate operations across the state and recovered three firearms, six rounds of live ammunition and other exhibits.

The arrests were made between September 18 and October 7, 2026, as part of the command’s ongoing intelligence-led operations against armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

In the latest operation, operatives of the Inyi Police Division responded to a distress call over an alleged armed robbery at Umuaor, Umukabia Isiama Awlaw community in Oji River Local Government Area at about 5:10 a.m. on October 7.

The operation led to the arrest of 26-year-old Arinze Osita Onwuaso, while other suspects reportedly fled the scene.

Police said operatives recovered a locally made cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, a pry bar, hammer, scissors and chisel from him.

In another operation on October 5, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit, attached to the Nsukka sector, arrested two suspected cult members at Umudioka community in Nsukka Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as 24-year-old Jonas Adejo, also known as J-Money, and 25-year-old Okoro Innocent, also known as Virus.

According to the police, three rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the two suspects.

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The command said the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation to belonging to the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, an allegation they would have the opportunity to challenge in court.

A separate operation on September 25 resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Anichebe Ogbonna at an alleged criminal hideout in Amagu Mpu community, Aninri Local Government Area.

Police operatives, working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, reportedly raided the location following intelligence on suspected criminal activities.

A locally made pistol was allegedly recovered from Ogbonna.

Meanwhile, operatives of the 9th Mile Police Division arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka at Ameke-Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area, at about 11 p.m. on September 18.

The police said Chukwuemeka was arrested following information allegedly linking him to armed robbery activities in the area.

A cut-to-size pump-action gun and one live cartridge were reportedly recovered from him.

The four operations produced a total of five arrests, three firearms and six rounds of ammunition, with investigations continuing into the alleged offences and the suspects’ individual roles.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the officers involved and residents whose information assisted the operations.

Giwa urged residents to continue providing credible information to the police to help prevent armed robbery, cult-related violence and other security threats across the state.

The suspects remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Police Arrest Five, Recover Three Guns, Ammunition in Enugu

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Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

Published

5 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Arinze Nwogba

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N50 million bail to Arinze Nwogba, who is facing trial for allegedly impersonating the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Thursday, admitted Nwogba to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge held that the alleged offence was bailable and not a capital offence, while noting that Nwogba had indicated through his bail application that he would not abscond and would make himself available for trial.

The court, however, attached stringent conditions to the bail.

One of the sureties must be a Federal Government civil servant not below Grade Level 14, while both sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The judge further directed that one of the sureties must reside in Asokoro, Maitama or Guzape.

Each surety is required to swear an affidavit of means and submit a tax clearance certificate covering the previous two years.

The court also ordered Nwogba and the sureties to submit photocopies of their National Identification slips.

The court registrar was directed to verify the bail documents and issue a report, with the prosecution also required to participate in the verification process.

Importantly, the ruling does not mean Nwogba walks out of custody immediately. He is to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are perfected.

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The case has been adjourned until October 19, 2026, for commencement of trial.

Nwogba is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026.

The police allege that he impersonated Professor Aina by using the JAMB registrar’s photograph on WhatsApp and Truecaller, allegedly with the intention of obtaining financial advantage.

According to the prosecution, a petition was submitted to the Inspector-General of Police over a suspected criminal operation involving the unauthorised use of the registrar’s name, photograph and telephone number to deceive members of the public.

The police alleged that the suspects also used LinkedIn and WhatsApp to approach prospective victims with purported government contracts.

In one alleged scheme, the impersonators reportedly claimed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops as part of a digitisation programme.

The prosecution alleged that prospective beneficiaries were subsequently asked to make payments, including N900,000 described as an initial “handshake” and another N3 million purportedly for officials of the ministry.

The police said Nwogba was arrested in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during investigations into the alleged impersonation.

The prosecution further alleged that Nwogba used the operational name Dr Stephen Igwe and admitted forwarding bank account details to a relative allegedly connected with the fraudulent operation.

Another alleged member of the operation, identified by the police as Nnabuife Nwekpa, is said to be at large.

Nwogba pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge and remains presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves the allegations against him in court.

The bail ruling therefore allows him an opportunity to secure his release pending trial, but only after satisfying the conditions imposed by the court.

Court Grants Alleged Fake JAMB Registrar N50m Bail, Sets Strict Conditions

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NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

Published

5 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

NESREA to Honour Lagos Baale After Dramatic Rescue of Endangered Sea Turtle

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is set to honour the Baale of Okun Igando in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye, after he intervened to save a large sea turtle from being killed by fishermen.

The development followed the rescue of the marine animal after it became entangled in a fishing net along the coastline of the community.

The fishermen reportedly initially believed they had caught a large fish. However, the situation changed after the Baale intervened and stopped attempts to kill or sell the animal.

Chief Jejelaiye urged the fishermen and other residents to release the turtle, while explaining the importance of protecting endangered and threatened marine species.

The fishermen, with the assistance of other community members, carefully freed the animal from the net and returned it alive to the Atlantic Ocean.

The rescue attracted widespread attention after footage of the incident circulated online, with many Nigerians commending the community for choosing to protect the animal rather than kill it.

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NESREA has subsequently commended the Baale and the local fishing community for their intervention, describing the rescue as an example of grassroots environmental conservation.

The agency is expected to issue a Letter of Commendation to Chief Jejelaiye in recognition of his role in preventing harm to the marine animal and promoting wildlife protection within the community.

The incident has also renewed attention to the challenges facing sea turtles in Nigeria, particularly along the Lagos coastline.

Sea turtles are exposed to several threats, including accidental capture in fishing nets, destruction of nesting habitats, pollution, illegal hunting and human consumption.

Conservation efforts in the Ibeju-Lekki area have previously focused on educating fishing communities about the importance of protecting sea turtles and finding ways to reduce conflicts between conservation and fishing activities.

The latest rescue also highlights the role that traditional rulers and coastal communities can play in protecting endangered wildlife.

NESREA, which is responsible for enforcing Nigeria’s environmental laws and regulations, has continued to advocate stronger community participation in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

The rescued turtle was identified in reports as a leatherback sea turtle, one of the largest living turtle species. Leatherback turtles face serious threats globally from fishing gear, habitat loss, pollution and other human activities.

The successful release of the turtle back into the ocean has been described as a positive example of what can happen when local communities respond quickly to protect threatened wildlife.

The development is also expected to strengthen calls for greater awareness among fishermen and residents of Nigeria’s coastal communities on how to safely handle marine animals accidentally caught in fishing nets.

For Okun Igando, the intervention by the Baale has turned what could have been the death of a rare marine animal into a notable wildlife conservation success story.