Vice President Kashim Shettima has demanded answers over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
Shettima made the demand on Monday during a condolence visit to Niger State Governor Umaru Bago at the Government House in Minna, where he conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s sympathies to the state government and families of the deceased.
The Vice President also announced a N250 million Federal Government support package for the families of the victims, stressing that the financial assistance could not substitute for answers about how their relatives died.
“The death of 37 young men in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps calls for initial questions,” Shettima said.
He added that “a grieving mother cannot be consoled by grief, nor can grief answer a father’s questions,” insisting that those responsible must provide answers once the facts surrounding the deaths are established.
Shettima said every citizen remains entitled to the protection of the state, even when detained over allegations of wrongdoing. He maintained that every victim deserved dignity, survivors deserved care and the bereaved families deserved the truth about what happened.
The Vice President also cautioned against politicising the tragedy or using it to attack Governor Bago, saying the governor had no involvement in the circumstances that led to the deaths. He urged Nigerians to allow the investigation to determine responsibility.
The deaths have already prompted the Federal Government to establish a 10-member independent investigative committee. The panel was mandated to establish the identities of the deceased, investigate their arrest and detention, determine the cause and manner of death through appropriate medical and forensic examinations, and establish whether negligence, misconduct or other breaches of duty occurred.
The Federal Government has said the investigation should be conducted independently and without interference, with appropriate disciplinary action and compensation to be recommended where necessary.
Receiving Shettima, Governor Bago thanked the Federal Government for the visit and said Niger State would cooperate with the investigation. He also lamented the series of tragedies that have affected the state in recent times, including insecurity, mining-related incidents and petrol tanker explosions.
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