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

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.

READ ALSO:

• Kano TikToker Remanded Over Alleged Defamation of Politician
• Trump Bans CNN, MS NOW, Politico From White House Over ‘Fake News’
• Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday

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