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- Relatives say compensation cannot make up for their loss as investigation finds overcrowding, extreme heat, dehydration and neglect caused deaths
Kabir Adeniyi
LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Relatives of 37 artisanal miners who died in Nigerian security custody demanded justice and the return of their seized belongings Friday, saying no amount of financial compensation could make up for their loss.
The miners, including teenagers, died in September while being held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, following their arrest on suspicion of illegal mining.
A presidential investigative panel found that overcrowding, extreme heat, dehydration and neglect caused the deaths, rejecting earlier suggestions that a disease outbreak was responsible.
Dantala Tanko, whose 25-year-old son, Suleiman, was among the victims, said his family was still struggling to come to terms with the loss.
"Losing my son has been devastating. It is difficult to accept that he is no longer with us, and our family is still struggling to cope with the pain of his death," he told Anadolu.
Zainab Salihu, another bereaved parent, said financial compensation could never replace her son.
"All I want is to see my son back. I suffered to give birth to him and to also raise him. He cannot just die like that and the government wants me to just move on," she said.
Jonathan Kure, chairman of the Independent Investigative Committee and a retired deputy director-general of the Department of State Services, presented the panel's findings to Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo earlier this week.
The committee recommended compensation totaling 1.4 billion naira (approximately $1 million) for the victims' families and survivors, according to a report obtained by Anadolu.
It also called for the dismissal of the NSCDC's Niger State commandant and other officers directly implicated in the incident, as well as institutional reforms.
Survivors have also demanded disciplinary action against those responsible.
Tunji-Ojo said the government had forwarded the report to the attorney-general for immediate judicial action.
Authorities, however, have yet to announce when the proposed compensation will be paid.
The deaths sparked protests and renewed concerns about detention conditions and the treatment of suspects in Nigeria.
The NSCDC is responsible for protecting critical national infrastructure and supporting internal security operations, including efforts to combat illegal mining.
