Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced N250 million in federal support for families of the 37 people who died in NSCDC custody in Niger State and called for answers about the deaths.
He made the announcement on Monday, October 5, during a condolence visit to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago at Government House in Minna, where he conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s sympathy.
Daily Post reported that Shettima said bereaved families needed the truth about what happened, not condolences alone. He said every citizen was entitled to state protection and that officials responsible for people in their custody must provide answers.
Shettima also urged people not to use the deaths to attack Bago politically. His assertion that the governor had no hand in the deaths was a statement made during the visit, not a finding of the investigation.
Channels Television reported that the 37 suspected illegal miners died in September and that the Federal Government subsequently constituted an independent committee to investigate. NaijaTrend’s earlier report on the inquiry is here.
Bago thanked the vice president for the visit and invited relatives of some of the deceased to stand in recognition, according to Daily Post. Shettima said survivors deserved care and the families deserved answers.
Sources: Daily Post, Channels Television
Something we should clarify?
Contact the newsroom
