The Federal Government has donated ₦250 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 donation on Monday during a condolence visit to Minna, the Niger State capital.
The deceased were among scores of suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around the Lt General Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate in Minna.
Following the deaths, the Federal Government suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Shettima said the Federal Government would establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable.
“Today, I paid a condolence visit to Minna, the Niger State capital, where I conveyed the sympathies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the bereaved families, and the people of the state over the death of 37 suspected miners,” the Vice-President said.
“I assured the families of the 37 suspected miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State that the Federal Government will get to the root of the tragedy and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable.
“I also announced the Federal Government’s donation of ₦250 million to the families of the deceased.”
The deaths have prompted investigations by the Federal Government and the NSCDC, with authorities seeking to determine the exact circumstances and cause of the incident.
