Parents of miners who died in NSCDC custody demand compensation

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Parents of artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State, have demanded compensation for the bereaved families.

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They said the compensation would serve as a deterrent against abuse of power and ensure accountability among law enforcement personnel.

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One of the parents, Mr Musa Aliyu, 50, who had been ill for the past one year, lost two of his children, Ibrahim, 17, and Abubakar, 12, in the incident.

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Aliyu, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, said his late sons were his major source of support, particularly in purchasing his medications.

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He said the children left home peacefully on Wednesday for the mining site at Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate but did not return home that evening.

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

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

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

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

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

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Another parent, Mr Lawal Mohammad, said he lost his 15-year-old son, Suleiman, in the incident.

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Mohammad told NAN that he attempted to take food to his son on the day of the arrest but was denied access to him by NSCDC personnel.

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

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

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

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“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.”

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Mohammad, who also struggled to control his tears, said his son took to artisanal mining to earn a living and help the family.

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He appealed to relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found responsible was held accountable.

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