Atiku donates N20m to families of Niger miners who died in custody

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has donated N20m to the families of 37 artisanal miners who died in NSCDC custody in Minna, Niger State.

The donation is a new development in the custody-deaths case NaijaTrend has followed here, after earlier official actions including suspensions, a federal investigation panel and detention of some NSCDC personnel.

Atiku made the donation during a visit to Minna, where he met families and survivors and also paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Minna, Umar Farouk Bahago.

The 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. The cause of the deaths has not been conclusively established.

The Federal Government has set up a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths, while 20 NSCDC officers, including the Niger State Commandant, have been suspended. The Niger State Government has also inaugurated a judicial commission of inquiry into the incident.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard