FG Gives N250m To Families Of 37 Miners Who Died In NSCDC Custody

FG Donates N250m To Families Of 37 Miners Who Died In NSCDC Custody

The Federal Government has donated N250 million to the families of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the financial support on Monday during a condolence visit to Minna, where he conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sympathies to the bereaved families, the Niger State Government and the people of the state.

The 37 men died after they were arrested during an NSCDC operation against suspected illegal mining in Minna earlier in September. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain under investigation.

Shettima said the Federal Government was determined to establish what happened and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable in accordance with the law.

He said the deaths of citizens while in government custody raised serious questions that could not be ignored, stressing that every person deprived of liberty remained entitled to the protection of the state.

“The death of 37 young men in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps calls for initial questions,” Shettima said, adding that grief alone could not answer the questions being asked by the victims’ families.

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The Vice President assured the families that the Federal Government would get to the root of the tragedy and provide answers on the circumstances that led to the deaths.

He also urged Nigerians not to politicise the incident or use it to demonise Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, noting that the NSCDC is a Federal Government agency.

The Federal Government had earlier constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate their arrest and detention, determine the cause and manner of death through medical and forensic examinations, and establish whether negligence, misconduct or other breaches of duty occurred.

Several NSCDC officers, including the Niger State Commandant, were also suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

The committee, inaugurated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was given two weeks to complete its assignment and recommend appropriate action, including compensation where applicable.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has reportedly put the overall death toll connected to the incident at 38, with one additional person said to have been killed by gunfire during the unrest that followed the deaths. The 37 victims covered by the Federal Government’s N250 million support were those who died in NSCDC custody.

Governor Bago thanked the Federal Government for the intervention and said the state government would continue to cooperate with the investigative committee.

He also announced additional financial support for the affected families, while calling for stronger regulation of the mining sector and the creation of safer and lawful economic opportunities for young people.

The cause of the 37 miners’ deaths has not been conclusively established. The ongoing investigation is expected to determine what happened to the detainees and whether any individuals or institutions should be held responsible.

The Federal Government said the families deserve both justice and answers over the deaths.

FG Gives N250m To Families Of 37 Miners Who Died In NSCDC Custody