Parents of artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, have demanded compensation for the bereaved families, saying it would serve as a deterrent against abuse of power and ensure accountability among law enforcement personnel.
One of the parents, Mr. Musa Aliyu, 50, who has been ill for the past year, lost two of his children: Ibrahim, 17, and Abubakar, 12, in the incident. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, Aliyu said his late sons were his major source of support, particularly in purchasing his medications.
He recounted that the children left home peacefully on Wednesday for the mining site at Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate but did not return that evening.
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,” he said.
“She was informed that our children were dead and we were asked to go to the General Hospital to identify and claim their bodies.”
Struggling to control his tears, Aliyu added: “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.”
Another parent, Mr. Lawal Mohammad, said he lost his 15-year-old son, Suleiman, in the incident. He told NAN that he attempted 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,” he said.
The incident, which reportedly claimed the lives of 37 miners, has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for prosecution of the officials involved and intervention by international bodies.
