Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday visited Niger State to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the death of 37 miners who died in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC), conveying President Bola Tinubu’s condolences to the affected families.
Shettima, who was received by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago at the Government House said the President was deeply saddened by the tragedy and assured that the Federal Government would support the state in preventing future occurrences.
Tinubu, represented by Shettina, said Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago was not responsible for the deaths of 37 miners who died while in the custody of the NSCDC, a federal agency.
The president also pledged ₦250 million to the victims’ families to help ease the financial burden following the deaths.
Shettima said the federal government had established an independent panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Anyone found responsible would face prosecution, he said.
“The death of 37 young men in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps calls for initial questions,” Shettima said.
“A grieving mother cannot be consoled by grief, nor can grief answer a father’s questions.”
He urged political leaders and groups not to use the tragedy to attack Governor Bago, saying the state government had no authority over the NSCDC.
“We should avoid weaponising the departed to demonise Governor Bago.
He had no hand in what has befallen their lives,” Shettima said.
The Vice President said the ₦250 million payment could not compensate the families for their loss but was intended to provide immediate support.
He added that the Federal Government remained committed to protecting Nigerians and ensuring that victims were treated with dignity, survivors received care and families learned the truth about the incident.
