By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has vowed to expose any attempt to shield or suppress the truth surrounding the death of 37 alleged illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, as he accepted his appointment to the Independent Committee investigating the incident.
Adeyanju made the vow on Saturday, 19 September, 2026, in a personally signed statement formally accepting his appointment to the committee constituted by the government to investigate the miners’ deaths.
He explained that he was invited to serve on the panel with a view to ensuring that the interests of the victims are adequately represented, expressing appreciation to the government for considering him worthy of the role.
“Following the decision of the Government to constitute a committee to investigate the deaths of the alleged gold miners in Minna, Niger State, I have been invited to serve on the committee, with a view to ensuring that the interests of the victims are adequately represented. I have accepted this responsibility and thank the Government for considering me worthy to serve. I am joining the committee solely to protect the interests of the victims and ensure that the truth is established,” he said.
The activist lawyer cautioned the government against making any monetary provision or honorarium available to committee members, describing the assignment as a national duty that demands sacrifice rather than compensation.
“I urge the Government not to make any monetary provision, stipend or honorarium for members of the committee, as this is a national duty for which we should be prepared to sacrifice,” he said.
Adeyanju disclosed that he would personally cover all expenses incurred while carrying out his duties on the committee, insisting that he would neither accept payment nor tolerate any attempt to compromise the investigation.
“I will not accept any such payment, and I will not participate in or tolerate any attempt to compromise the investigation or cover up wrongdoing. I undertake to take care of my hotel, transportation and other expenses myself,” he said.
He rounded off his statement with a firm warning against any attempt to shield those responsible for the miners’ deaths, insisting that the victims deserve justice.
“If there is any attempt to shield those responsible or suppress the truth, I will expose it. The victims deserve justice, and the Nigerian factor as we know it must not be allowed to prevail,” he said.
