MINNA — Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced a Federal Government financial support package for the families of the 37 artisanal miners who tragically died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
Leading a high-powered federal delegation to Minna on Monday, October 5, 2026, Shettima conveyed the personal condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the traditional institution, and the bereaved families across the state.
Addressing state leaders, community elders, and security chiefs at the Government House in Minna, the Vice President stated that the federal government remains firmly committed to uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the custody deaths and delivering swift justice.
“This tragedy transcends political affiliations; it touches the very core of our shared humanity,” Shettima stated. “The President has directed a thorough, transparent investigation, and I assure the people of Niger State that anyone found culpable—regardless of status or institution—will face the full weight of the law.”
The federal intervention comes alongside separate support funds recently committed by political leaders and civil organizations, as public demands for institutional accountability and reform in law enforcement detention protocols continue to mount across the country.
