NSCDC Custody Deaths: FG Gives N250m to Families of 37 Victims

The Federal Government has donated N250 million to the families of 37 people who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

 

Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced the support on Monday in Minna, where he paid a condolence visit to the government and people of Niger State over the tragedy. He conveyed the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and said the Federal Government had come to share in the people's grief, listen to their concerns and reaffirm its commitment to protecting every citizen.

 

"We come as sympathisers, as parents, as uncles and aunts, as brothers and sisters, and above all as leaders entrusted with your protection," Shettima said.

 

"We have come to share your grief, to hear your concerns, to stand beside the bereaved and to reaffirm our obligation to protect every citizen without distinction or exception."

 

The vice-president described the deaths in plain terms.

 

"The death of 37 young men in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is a stain on our national conscience," he said.

 

"A citizen deprived of liberty remains entitled to the protection of the state. No allegation, however grave, diminishes that entitlement."

 

Shettima assured the people that justice would be served and that anyone found culpable would be held accountable. No uniform or position, he said, should shield anyone from accountability, adding that the government owed justice to the deceased, answers to their families and due process to those under investigation.

 

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the vice-president personally condoled with families of the victims who were present during the visit.

 

Shettima also urged residents not to politicise the incident or use it to demonise Gov. Mohammed Umaru Bago, pointing out that the NSCDC is a Federal Government agency and not under the control of the state government.

 

"We should avoid weaponising the tragedy that has befallen our people to demonise the governor. We need to be fair to each other in this hour of bereavement," he said.

 

Responding, Bago thanked Shettima for the visit, describing it as a show of empathy and evidence that the Federal Government stood with the people of Niger State at a difficult time.

 

He said the state had been hit by several tragedies that had claimed many lives, and expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its support and the N250 million donation to the victims' families.

 

The governor urged the Federal Government to strengthen regulation of the mining sector, protect national assets and create safe, legal and dignified opportunities for young people.

 

"The tragedy of Sept. 17 must not be allowed to repeat itself, not in Minna, not anywhere in Nigeria," he said.