Families of 37 miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have rejected a ₦100,000 condolence payment offered by the Niger State Government, calling instead for justice and accountability.
The families reportedly turned down the payment, describing it as “blood money” and arguing that the lives of their loved ones should not be reduced to a financial gesture.
The miners died while in NSCDC custody under circumstances that have raised questions from their relatives, who are demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths.
They want authorities to establish what happened, determine who may have been responsible and investigate whether negligence or other wrongdoing contributed to the deaths.
The families have also called for appropriate compensation and accountability, saying the government and security agencies should provide clear answers rather than focus solely on financial assistance.
The rejection of the payment has increased pressure on the Niger State Government and relevant security authorities to address the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
For the bereaved families, the central issue is finding out how the 37 miners died and ensuring that those responsible, if established, are held accountable.
