37 Miners’ Deaths: Tunji-Ojo Warns Probe Committee Against Cover-Up, External Influence

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday warned members of the 10-member independent investigative committee probing the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, against any attempt to compromise the investigation through cover-up or condoning external influence.

Tunji-Ojo gave the warning in Abuja while inaugurating the committee set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees in the NSCDC Niger State Command.

He said the committee must remain independent of him as Minister of Interior and every other official, stressing that its only responsibility was to establish the truth.

“Independent of all influences, independent of all persuasions, and independent of all scenarios that might derail the committee from getting to the root of the matter,” the minister said.

Tunji-Ojo said the committee had been given a free hand to conduct its investigation and warned against any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the process.

He said such actions would be treated as a serious offence, adding that anyone found culpable would face the full force of the law.

The minister also directed the leadership of the NSCDC and all relevant officers to cooperate fully with the committee and ensure that all records and material evidence connected to the incident were preserved and made available.

According to him, the committee has two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.

The committee is expected to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, and determine the immediate and remote causes of their deaths through appropriate medical and forensic examinations.

It is also mandated to determine whether negligence, misconduct, complicity or any breach of duty occurred during the detention of the deceased.

Tunji-Ojo said the committee would further examine whether the detainees were tortured, treated inhumanely or denied medical attention while in custody.

He said recommendations on disciplinary or legal action, compensation where applicable, and measures to prevent a recurrence would also form part of the committee’s report.

The minister had earlier disclosed that the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC and officers who were on duty covering arrest, investigation, legal, station and guard duties between September 15 and 17 had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

He said no officer, regardless of how highly placed, would be shielded if found culpable.

“We owe you the truth. This committee will give you the truth,” Tunji-Ojo told Nigerians, adding that the report would not be swept under the carpet.

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

Other members are retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Prof. Olayinka Buhari, Professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; representatives of the Minna Emirate Council and Niger State Government; Alhaji Liman Sulaiman 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.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Kure said the members regarded their appointment not as a privilege but as a call to national service.

He said the committee members would approach the investigation with their integrity intact and would not allow their names or reputations to be compromised.

“When the minister called me, I said, Honourable Minister, on one condition—you know who I am. And he said that is precisely why I have been nominated for this exercise,” Kure said.

He assured Nigerians, particularly the families of the deceased, that the committee would approach the investigation with open minds.

“We are not swayed by sentiments, by media hypes, or whatever impression has been given,” he said.

Kure said the committee would go to the field, establish the facts and return with its findings based on the evidence gathered.

He also appealed to Nigerians to retain hope in the country, saying the investigation must be conducted in a manner that would help restore confidence and give hope to the nation.

The 37 detainees reportedly died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command. The circumstances and cause of their deaths remain subject to investigation.