Niger Miners’ Deaths: Shettima vows to hunt down culprits, announces N250m for families

By Chesa Chesa

Vice President Kashim Shettima has vowed that the Federal Government will uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.

Shettima made the declaration on Monday during a condolence visit to Minna, the Niger State capital, where he conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sympathies to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the bereaved families and the people of the state.

The Vice President also announced a N250 million Federal Government donation to the families of the deceased.

The 37 suspected miners died on September 17 after being detained by the NSCDC over allegations of illegal mining. The circumstances surrounding their deaths are yet to be established.

Shettima said President Tinubu had directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident, leading to the constitution of a 10-member independent investigative committee and the suspension of officers linked to the incident pending the outcome of the probe.

Describing the deaths as “a blot on our national conscience,” the Vice President said the government’s responsibility to protect the life and dignity of citizens does not end when they are taken into custody.

“No allegation, however grave, diminishes that entitlement. No uniform confers immunity from accountability,” Shettima said.

He stressed that the government would not prejudge the investigation but would ensure that the facts surrounding the deaths were established and responsibility determined.

“We owe justice to every soul lost, answers to every bereaved family and due process to every person under investigation. Whoever is found culpable must answer before the law. Our duty to you outlives this visit.

“We have come to you today without the togas of partisan politics. We come as sympathisers, as parents, as uncles and aunts, as brothers and sisters, and, above all, as leaders entrusted with your protection,” he said.

He thanked Governor Bago for supporting the pursuit of justice and providing care for those affected, adding: “Every victim deserves dignity, every survivor deserves care, and every family deserves the truth.”

Earlier, Bago commended Shettima for personally visiting the state on behalf of the President, describing the gesture as a demonstration of empathy and solidarity with the affected families.

The governor noted that both Tinubu and Shettima were out of the country when the incident occurred, with the President on annual leave and the Vice President representing Nigeria at the United Nations General Assembly.

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