The Niger State Government has released ₦249 million to families of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in custody and 32 survivors of the incident.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the financial assistance on Monday, October 5, with each family of the deceased receiving ₦5 million, while each of the 32 survivors received ₦2 million.
The intervention followed the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were reportedly being held at a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) facility in Minna after their arrest over alleged illegal mining activities.
Bago said the assistance was intended to cushion the economic and emotional effects of the tragedy and enable affected families and survivors to pursue safer alternative livelihoods rather than return to dangerous mining activities.
The governor also directed the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board to establish schools in appropriate communities affected by artisanal mining. He said the measure would help protect children from the dangers associated with mining and encourage school enrolment.
The deaths prompted a Federal Government investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The state intervention comes alongside a separate ₦250 million support package announced by the Federal Government for the victims’ families and survivors.
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