Share!
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has donated ₦20 million to the families of 37 artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.
Atiku made the donation on Tuesday during a visit to Minna, where he also paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Bahago. The miners died on September 17, days after they were arrested during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State. The circumstances and cause of the deaths remain under investigation.
During his meeting with the affected families and survivors, Atiku described the incident as a tragedy requiring truth, justice and accountability. He said accounts provided by survivors about the conditions in which the detainees were held were disturbing, while stressing that those in state custody were entitled to humane treatment, dignity and protection under the law, regardless of the allegations against them.
The former Vice President also linked the incident to broader concerns over poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living, arguing that government policies should ultimately be measured by their impact on ordinary Nigerians. He said authorities must create conditions that enable young Nigerians to pursue safe and legitimate livelihoods rather than being driven into hazardous activities by economic hardship.
The deaths have triggered investigations at both federal and state levels. The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee to establish the identities of the deceased, examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, determine the immediate and remote causes of death, and investigate possible negligence, misconduct or violations of detention and human-rights standards.
Twenty NSCDC officers, including the Niger State Commandant, have also been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. The Niger State Government has separately inaugurated a nine-member judicial commission of inquiry into the incident.
The cause of the deaths has not been conclusively established. While survivors have alleged overcrowding and poor conditions inside the detention facility, authorities have said medical examinations and investigations are necessary before a definitive conclusion can be reached.
Atiku said the incident should serve as a reminder that people held in government custody remain entitled to the protection of the state and that accountability must follow wherever wrongdoing or negligence is established.
