Oluwatobi Adu 
Vice President Shettima speaking at the Nigerian Renewable Energy Forum.
MINNA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has announced a ₦250 million support package for the families of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced the intervention on Monday during a condolence visit to Minna, where he conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s sympathies to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the bereaved families and residents of the state.
Shettima said the deaths of the 37 men while in the custody of a government security agency raised serious questions that must be answered.
He assured the families that the Federal Government would establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable through due process. “The responsibility of the government to protect the life and dignity of every Nigerian does not cease when a citizen is taken into custody,” Shettima said.
The victims died on 17 September after being detained by the NSCDC over allegations of illegal mining. The precise cause of their deaths has not yet been established, with an independent investigation ongoing.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident, while officers connected with the case have been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
Shettima described the incident as a national tragedy and stressed that detention or allegations of wrongdoing should not deprive citizens of their right to state protection.
The Federal Government’s financial intervention is intended to provide immediate support to the bereaved families while the investigation continues.
Niger State Government has also announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased and survivors of the incident.
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Korede Abdullah 
