Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that those responsible for the deaths of 37 suspected miners in Niger State will face the law. He made this statement during a condolence visit to Minna, where he announced a federal government donation of ₦250 million to the bereaved families. Shettima conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's sympathies to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the people of Niger State. The miners died on September 17 while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The Vice President described the incident as a stain on the nation's conscience, emphasizing that detention does not extinguish a citizen's right to life, dignity, and protection by the state. He recalled that President Tinubu had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy and constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee. The committee, chaired by a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
Shettima stressed that the government's obligation extends beyond identifying the immediate cause of the deaths to securing justice and preventing a recurrence. He assured the families that the administration will establish the facts and pursue accountability while preserving due process for everyone under investigation. The Vice President emphasized that effective law enforcement must uphold human dignity and that the visit was an expression of the government's responsibility to the bereaved.
The investigative committee's mandate includes examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents. A former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, serves as the committee's secretary. Shettima thanked Governor Bago for supporting the pursuit of justice and providing care for those affected, adding that every victim deserves dignity, every survivor deserves care, and every family deserves the truth.
Governor Umar Bago thanked the Vice President for visiting on behalf of the President, describing the gesture as a demonstration of empathy and solidarity with the affected families. The governor said the two leaders were outside Nigeria when the incident occurred, and Shettima's presence had reinforced the President's condolence message. He assured the families of the federal government’s concern and emphasized that the occasion was devoted to mourning the deceased and comforting their loved ones.
The Vice President's visit was seen as a personal gesture of compassion and an assurance that the federal government stood with the people in their moment of distress. After the visit, Shettima proceeded to Maiduguri, Borno state, to commiserate with Governor Babagana Zulum over the death of Amina, known as Inna Zulum, who died earlier on Monday. He prayed that Allah grant her Aljanna Firdaus and give the family strength to bear the loss.
The incident has plunged the families and the entire state into grief, with many calling for justice and accountability. The Vice President's visit and announcement of compensation have brought some solace to the affected families. The federal government's response to the incident has been seen as a demonstration of its commitment to upholding human rights and dignity.
Key points
- The federal government has announced a donation of ₦250 million to the bereaved families of the 37 suspected miners who died in NSCDC custody.
- Vice President Shettima has pledged that those responsible for the deaths will face the law, and an independent investigative committee has been constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
- The incident has raised concerns about human rights and dignity, with many calling for justice and accountability.
