Families of Nigerian Miners Who Died in Custody Demand Justice, Not Just Compensation
Families of artisanal miners who died in the custody of Nigeria’s Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) say they want swift justice and the return of property seized during the arrests, insisting that no financial compensation can make up for their loss.
“What we wanted was for our children to be alive and return to us,” said Zainab Salihu, whose son was among the dead. Abdulsalam Yakubu, 23, said government action had been slow and asked for the return of motorcycles, phones, mining equipment and gold he said were seized during the arrests. Another survivor, 25-year-old Dauda Shehu, said officers who showed such disregard for human life should not remain in positions of authority.
The deaths occurred inside a male cell in Minna, Niger State, between 8 p.m. on 16 September and 7 a.m. the next day, after raids led to 75 people being detained. Initial reports put the dead at 37, but the presidential panel investigating the incident authenticated 33 deaths. It found they died of asphyxia in an overcrowded cell, and called the tragedy preventable.
The panel’s findings go beyond overcrowding. It found that the state commandant authorised the operation without proper planning, that 30 of the 33 deceased were buried before post-mortem examinations, and that the cell was cleaned before independent forensic investigators arrived. It also found that the commandant falsely blamed a disease outbreak. It recommended prosecution of the officers responsible and N1.4 billion in compensation for families and survivors.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the report has been sent to the attorney-general for immediate judicial action. He did not say when families and survivors would receive compensation.
