Families Demand Justice, Compensation Over Death Of Miners In NSCDC Custody

By Victor Idajili

Parents of artisanal miners who died in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State, have demanded compensation for the bereaved families.

They said paying compensation would deter abuse of power and enforce accountability among security personnel.

Musa Aliyu, 50, who has been sick for a year, lost two sons - Ibrahim, 17, and Abubakar, 12 - in the incident.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, Aliyu said his sons were his major support, especially in buying his drugs.

He said they left home peacefully on Wednesday for the mining site at the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate and never returned.

"My wife was later informed that some miners had been arrested, so she went to the Civil Defence office near the PDP Secretariat.

"When she got there, she met a crowd of relatives who had also gone in search of their children.

"She was informed that our children were dead and we were asked to go to the General Hospital to identify and claim their bodies.

"These children helped me sustain my medication. They contributed money to buy drugs for me.

"I leave whoever is responsible for the death of my children to Allah. I believe they were killed," he said, fighting back tears.

Another parent, Lawal Mohammad, lost his 15-year-old son, Suleiman.

He said he went to take food to his son on the day of the arrest but was denied access by NSCDC officials.

"We went to the Civil Defence office on Wednesday night and were asked to return the following day.

"We went back on Thursday morning to give him food, but we were told that he was dead.

"I was at the Civil Defence office when the bodies were brought out and loaded into ambulances.

"I am in pain, and I cannot forgive this. Those responsible should be made to pay compensation so as to serve as a lesson to others who abuse power," he said.

Mohammad said his son went into artisanal mining to earn a living and support the family.

He urged authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and hold those responsible to account.