Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has donated N20m to the families of 37 artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.
Atiku made the donation during a visit to Minna, where he also met with survivors and relatives of the deceased and paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago.
The miners died on September 17, 2026, after they were arrested during NSCDC operations targeting suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have yet to be conclusively established. The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the arrests, detention conditions and cause of the deaths. Twenty NSCDC officers, including the Niger State Commandant, have also been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has equally inaugurated a nine-member judicial commission of inquiry to examine the incident and make recommendations. The commission has been given four weeks to complete its assignment.
Speaking during his interaction with the affected families and survivors, Atiku described the deaths as a tragedy that required truth, justice and accountability.
He said the account given by one of the survivors about the conditions in the detention facility was disturbing.
“It was a gory tale listening to one of the survivors. He told us that more than 68 of them were crammed into one small detention facility and that conditions became so desperate that they had to drink one another’s urine just to stay hydrated,” Atiku said.
The former vice president maintained that the detainees were entitled to humane treatment and protection under the law, irrespective of the allegations that led to their arrest.
“No Nigerian should ever be subjected to such indignity in the custody of his own government. These were human beings in the care of the state. Whatever accusations may have been made against them, they were entitled to their lives, their dignity and the protection of the law,” he said.
Atiku also linked the incident to wider economic challenges, arguing that poverty, unemployment and rising living costs could push young Nigerians towards hazardous informal activities.
“Thirty-seven young Nigerians entered the custody of the state alive and did not return alive to their families. That tragedy demands truth, justice and accountability,” he said.
He further restated his proposal for a targeted production subsidy on petroleum products refined in Nigeria, saying the policy was designed to support local refining and reduce the cost of petrol to consumers.
Atiku said his proposal differed from the previous fuel subsidy arrangement, stressing that government support should be tied to domestic production and measurable benefits for Nigerians.
“My promise to make life affordable again is not a political slogan. It is a solemn covenant with the Nigerian people.
“We will support what Nigeria produces. We will support fuel refined in Nigeria, create Nigerian jobs and insist that every naira of government support delivers a measurable benefit to the consumer,” he said.
He added that government policies should create conditions that enable young Nigerians to pursue legitimate livelihoods rather than engage in dangerous activities out of economic necessity.
“The purpose of government is not merely to announce reforms. The purpose of government is to make life better for the people,” Atiku said.
The Minna deaths have triggered public concern and protests, with the Federal Government promising a transparent investigation. The Interior Ministry said the independent committee would determine the identities of the deceased and establish the cause and circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Atiku’s visit came as the federal and state investigations continued, with authorities yet to announce a conclusive finding on what caused the fatalities.
