By Aliyu Lawal
The Federal Government has donated Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira to the families of 37 miners who died while in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the donation when Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him, visited the government and people of Niger State, including the bereaved families in Minna, to commiserate with them over the tragic incident.
The President said although no amount of money could compensate for the loss of lives, the donation was intended to cushion the hardship and grief suffered by the families.
He prayed Allah to forgive the deceased and grant their families the strength to bear the loss.
President Tinubu said the Federal Government had constituted an independent panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, assuring that anyone found culpable would face the full wrath of the law.
He also clarified that the Niger State Government should not be held responsible for the incident, noting that the NSCDC is a Federal Government agency.
The President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians without exception.
In his remarks, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago thanked the Vice President for the visit, explaining that President Tinubu was away on vacation when the incident occurred, while Vice President Shettima was in New York representing him at the United Nations General Assembly.
Governor Bago said the Vice President’s visit coincided with the submission of the report of the committee set up by the Niger State Government, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, with the Emir of Minna, Umar Faruk Bahago, as a member.
He added that the state government would present palliatives to the bereaved families.
Editing By Safiyah Abdulkadir
