Vice President Kashim Shettima has demanded accountability over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Shettima also announced a N250 million donation from the Federal Government to support the families of the deceased as he paid a condolence visit to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago at the Government House in Minna on Monday.
The Vice President conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s condolences to the government and people of Niger State and said the circumstances surrounding the deaths raised serious questions that must be answered.
Shettima Demands Accountability
Speaking during the visit, Shettima said the deaths of the 37 young men while in the custody of a government security agency required an explanation.
“The death of 37 young men in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps calls for initial questions,” the Vice President said.
He stressed that the tragedy should not be turned into a political, religious or sectional dispute, noting that every Nigerian has a right to protection by the state.
According to Shettima, financial or emotional support for the bereaved families cannot replace the need for answers about what happened to their relatives.
“Grief alone cannot answer the questions of bereaved families. A grieving mother cannot be consoled by grief, nor can grief answer a father’s questions,” he said.
The Vice President insisted that any individual or organisation responsible for the deaths must be held accountable.
“There can be no room for hiding leaders when lives are lost within the perimeter of their sphere,” Shettima said.
Federal Government Announces N250m Donation
Shettima announced that the Federal Government would provide N250 million to the families of the deceased.
He also called for the victims to be treated with dignity and urged authorities to provide appropriate care for survivors.
The Vice President said the families deserved to know the truth about the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The financial support comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to determine what led to the incident.
Following the deaths, the government constituted an independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Shettima Warns Against Politicising Niger Tragedy
The Vice President also cautioned against using the deaths to attack Governor Bago politically.
Shettima said the Niger State governor had no involvement in the deaths and urged Nigerians to avoid turning the tragedy into a political weapon.
“We should avoid weaponizing the parties that have departed to demonise Governor Bago. He had no hand in what has befallen their lives,” he said.
His comments came amid concerns over how the deaths could affect political and public discourse surrounding the incident.
Shettima maintained that the priority should be establishing what happened, ensuring accountability and supporting the affected families.
Shettima Visits Niger State
The Vice President arrived at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna earlier on Monday and was received by Governor Bago and other senior government officials.
His visit provided an opportunity for the Federal Government to reiterate its commitment to supporting the investigation into the deaths and determining the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Governor Bago thanked Shettima for the condolence visit, describing it as a demonstration of empathy and solidarity with the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State.
The governor said Niger State had experienced several tragedies, including insecurity, mining incidents and petrol tanker explosions.
Despite the challenges, Bago expressed confidence that the state would overcome the difficulties.
Families of Deceased Miners Receive Shettima
During the condolence visit, Bago invited relatives of some of the deceased to stand in recognition.
Some of the victims’ families subsequently expressed appreciation for Shettima’s visit, saying it demonstrated the Federal Government’s concern for the affected citizens.
The families are now awaiting the outcome of the independent investigation into the deaths.
For the Federal Government, the investigation is expected to provide answers about what happened to the 37 suspected illegal miners while they were in NSCDC custody and determine whether anyone should be held responsible.
Shettima’s demand for accountability, coupled with the N250 million support announced for the families, underscores the Federal Government’s response to a tragedy that has raised serious questions about the treatment and protection of citizens in government custody.