Parents demand compensation over miners’ deaths in NSCDC custody

Parents of three artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State, have demanded compensation for their families and a thorough investigation into the deaths.

The parents said compensation would provide some relief to the bereaved families and deter abuse of power by law enforcement personnel.

One of the bereaved parents, 50-year-old Musa Aliyu, said he lost two sons, Ibrahim, 17, and Abubakar, 12, in the incident.

Aliyu, who has been ill for about a year, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that his sons were his main source of support, particularly in paying for his medication.

He said the boys left home peacefully on Wednesday for an artisanal mining site at the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate but never returned.

“My wife was later informed that some miners had been arrested, so she went to the Civil Defence office near the PDP Secretariat.

“When she got there, she met a crowd of relatives who had also gone in search of their children.

“She was informed that our children were dead and we were asked to go to the General Hospital to identify and claim their bodies.

“These children helped me sustain my medication. They contributed money to buy drugs for me.

“I leave whoever is responsible for the death of my children to Allah. I believe they were killed,” Aliyu said, struggling to hold back his tears.

Another parent, Lawal Mohammad, said his 15-year-old son, Suleiman, was among those who died.

Mohammad said he tried to take food to his son on the day of the arrest but was denied access by NSCDC personnel.

“We went to the Civil Defence office on Wednesday night and were asked to return the following day.

“We went back on Thursday morning to give him food, but we were told that he was dead.

“I was at the Civil Defence office when the bodies were brought out and loaded into ambulances.

“I am in pain, and I cannot forgive this. Those responsible should be made to pay compensation so as to serve as a lesson to others who abuse power,” he said.

Mohammad said his son took up artisanal mining to earn a living and support the family.

He called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable.

NAN