By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
Abuja / Minna – September 21, 2026
DDNewsOnline
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has cautioned against describing the 37 people who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna as “illegal miners,” insisting that no fact-finding has yet established that status.
Adeyanju made the comments while reacting to the deaths of the suspects who were arrested during NSCDC operations on September 15 and 16 around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna over alleged illegal mining activities. Their deaths were discovered in the early hours of September 17 while they were in custody.
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“We cannot call them illegal miners because there has been no fact-finding to that effect yet. In my view, I believe that, especially with the new regime that there are no illegal miners in Nigeria because the Ministry of Mines has mapped out almost all mining sites in the country and given certificate to the owners. So, what we should be looking at is: who is the owner of the mine?” Adeyanju said.
The lawyer argued that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has mapped and issued certificates for most mining sites across the country. He maintained that the focus of investigations should shift to identifying the legitimate owners of the sites rather than labelling the deceased as illegal operators without proper inquiry.
The incident has already triggered multiple probes. NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, constituted a high-powered investigative team led by the Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation. The remains were deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.
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Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered a full investigation and directed the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, to step aside. Other senior officers in the state command have also been directed to appear before the investigation panel. A new commandant has been deployed to take charge of the NSCDC Niger State Command while the probe continues.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago confirmed the deaths, appealed for calm, and said the government would await the results of medical and forensic examinations before reaching any conclusion. He added that the identities of the deceased were being compiled so that their families could be contacted.
The police and the Niger State Government have also set up separate investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
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Adeyanju’s intervention adds a new dimension to the public debate, shifting attention from the alleged illegality of the mining activities to questions of ownership, licensing and due process. He insisted that until a thorough fact-finding exercise is completed, describing the deceased as illegal miners remains premature and potentially misleading.
Authorities have said that anyone found responsible after the investigation will face appropriate action. The outcome of the medical examinations and official probes is expected to shed more light on both the cause of the deaths and the status of the mining sites involved.
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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