Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has donated N20 million to the families of 37 artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, 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 37 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.
Speaking during his meeting with the affected families and survivors, Atiku described the deaths as a tragedy that demanded truth, justice and accountability.
He said the account given by one of the survivors about the conditions in which the detainees were held was disturbing.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to the former Vice President, Mr Phrank Shaibu, quoted Atiku as saying that more than 68 detainees had been held in a small detention facility, creating conditions he described as desperate.
Atiku said the detainees were entitled to humane treatment and protection under the law, regardless of the allegations against them.
“No Nigerian should ever be subjected to such indignity in the custody of his own government. These were human beings in the care of the state. Whatever accusations may have been made against them, they were entitled to their lives, their dignity and the protection of the law,” he said.
He said the incident should prompt the government to examine the economic conditions that drive young Nigerians into hazardous and poorly regulated occupations.
“Thirty-seven young Nigerians entered the custody of the state alive and did not return alive to their families. That tragedy demands truth, justice and accountability,” he said.
Atiku linked the incident to wider challenges of poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living, saying economic policies should be assessed by their impact on ordinary Nigerians.
Also: NSCDC suspends more personnel over miners’ deaths
“Economic reform must ultimately be measured by what it does to the lives of ordinary people. If life becomes progressively more difficult for families, workers and young people, then government has a responsibility to reconsider the choices producing those outcomes,” he said.
He also restated his proposal for a targeted production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, saying it would support domestic refining while reducing petrol prices for consumers.
The proposal has drawn criticism from the All Progressives Congress, which questioned its legal, fiscal and operational framework, including its compatibility with the Petroleum Industry Act and safeguards against abuse.
Atiku, however, said his proposal differed from the previous open-ended subsidy regime on imported fuel.
“My promise to make life affordable again is not a political slogan. It is a solemn covenant with the Nigerian people.
“We will support what Nigeria produces. We will support fuel refined in Nigeria, create Nigerian jobs and insist that every naira of government support delivers a measurable benefit to the consumer,” he said.
He said the government must create an environment where young Nigerians could pursue legitimate livelihoods rather than resort to dangerous activities out of economic necessity.
“The purpose of government is not merely to announce reforms. The purpose of government is to make life better for the people,” he said.
The deaths have generated public concern and prompted calls for accountability.
President Bola Tinubu ordered a full and transparent investigation, while the Ministry of Interior said the Federal Government’s investigative committee would determine responsibility, negligence or misconduct and recommend appropriate action where necessary.
Atiku’s visit came as investigations into the deaths continued, with the cause of the fatalities yet to be conclusively established. Survivors have given accounts alleging overcrowding and poor conditions at the detention facility, while authorities say investigations and medical examinations are required to determine the cause of the deaths.
Punch
