FG Inaugurates Committee to Probe Niger Miners’ Deaths

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated the committee in Abuja on Tuesday, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive investigation.

The committee is chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General, Jonathan Kure, while former Nigerian Law School Director-General, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, serves as secretary.

The detainees died on September 17, 2026. The cause of their deaths has not yet been established.

Tunji-Ojo expressed condolences to the families and called for calm as the investigation proceeds.

The committee has two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report.