Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has donated N20 million to the families of 37 artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

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

The 37 miners died on September 17, several days after they were arrested during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.

Federal Government Probes Miners’ Deaths
Following the incident, the Federal Government constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee to determine what led to the deaths.

The government also suspended 20 NSCDC officers, including the Niger State Commandant, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Niger State Government has separately inaugurated a nine-member judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the deaths and determine issues of responsibility and accountability.

Speaking during his meeting with the affected families and survivors, Atiku described the incident as a tragedy requiring truth, justice and accountability.

He said the account given by one of the survivors about the conditions under which the detainees were held was disturbing.

According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the survivor alleged that more than 68 detainees were held in a small detention facility.

“It was a gory tale listening to one of the survivors. He told us that more than 68 of them were crammed into one small detention facility and that conditions became so desperate that they had to drink one another’s urine just to stay hydrated,” Atiku said.

Atiku Demands Justice

The former vice president said Nigerians arrested by government agencies were entitled to humane treatment and protection under the law, regardless of the allegations against them.

He said the deaths raised serious questions about the treatment of detainees in state custody.

“No Nigerian should ever be subjected to such indignity in the custody of his own government.

These were human beings in the care of the state. Whatever accusations may have been made against them, they were entitled to their lives, their dignity and the protection of the law,” he said.

Atiku also connected the incident to broader economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living.

He argued that government policies should be measured by their impact on ordinary Nigerians, particularly young people struggling to earn a living.

“Thirty-seven young Nigerians entered the custody of the state alive and did not return alive to their families. That tragedy demands truth, justice and accountability,” Atiku said.

Atiku Restates Fuel Subsidy Proposal

During the visit, Atiku also reiterated his proposal for a targeted production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria.

He said the policy would encourage domestic refining, create jobs and help reduce the cost of petrol for consumers.

“My promise to make life affordable again is not a political slogan. It is a solemn covenant with the Nigerian people,” he said.

Atiku added that his proposed approach would support locally produced goods and ensure that government interventions provide measurable benefits to Nigerians.

“We will support what Nigeria produces. We will support fuel refined in Nigeria, create Nigerian jobs and insist that every naira of government support delivers a measurable benefit to the consumer,” he said.

The ADC presidential candidate further called on the government to create economic opportunities that would enable young Nigerians to pursue legitimate livelihoods rather than engage in dangerous activities because of financial hardship.

“The purpose of government is not merely to announce reforms. The purpose of government is to make life better for the people,” Atiku added.

The deaths of the 37 miners have generated public concern, with both federal and Niger State authorities conducting separate investigations into the incident.