Shettima Vows to Hunt Culprits as FG Donates ₦250m Over 37 Miners’ Custody Deaths
Minna, Niger State—October 5, 2026—Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday delivered a firm message of accountability and empathy in Niger State, vowing that the federal government will “hunt down the culprits” behind the deaths of 37 suspected artisanal gold miners who perished in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) last month.
During a condolence visit to Minna, the state capital, Shettima conveyed the sympathies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the bereaved families, and the people of Niger State.
He announced a federal government donation of ₦250 million to support the families of the deceased and stressed that no uniform confers immunity from accountability.
“The deaths of 37 young men in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are a blot on our national conscience. No parent should receive a body when they are waiting for a son to come home,” Shettima said.
He added that a citizen deprived of liberty remains entitled to the protection of the state and that every allegation, no matter how serious, does not diminish that right.
Background to the Tragedy
The 37 men, many of them young and some reportedly teenagers, were among scores of suspects arrested by NSCDC operatives on September 15 and 16 during operations targeting suspected illegal mining sites around the Lt. Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Estate and Lukoto areas in Minna. They were found dead in the early hours of September 17 while still in detention.
The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak. However, survivors and subsequent reports pointed to severe overcrowding and poor ventilation in a small cell.
Some accounts described more than 60 detainees packed into a space designed for far fewer people, with pleas for air allegedly ignored. The exact cause of death remains under investigation.
The incident triggered public outrage, protests, and a temporary 24-hour curfew in Minna. Governor Bago confirmed that 67 suspects had been held in the facility before the deaths occurred.
Federal Response and Independent Probe
President Tinubu directed a comprehensive investigation. The federal government suspended the then Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, along with other officers connected to the incident.
A 10-member independent investigative committee was constituted, chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, with former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, serving as secretary.
Shettima reaffirmed that the panel’s work would establish the facts, determine responsibility, and lay the foundation for justice. “Whoever is found culpable must answer before the law. Our duty to you outlives this visit,” he told the families.
He also cautioned against politicizing the tragedy or using it to attack Governor Bago, noting that the NSCDC operates under federal authority.
A Message of Solidarity
Governor Bago welcomed the Vice President and expressed gratitude for the federal government’s show of solidarity.
State officials described Shettima’s physical presence as a powerful signal that the administration stands with the affected communities.
After the Minna visit, Shettima proceeded to Maiduguri, Borno State, to condole with Governor Babagana Zulum over a separate personal loss.
The ₦250 million donation and the ongoing independent probe mark the federal government’s latest steps to address one of the most painful custody-related tragedies in recent years. Families and rights groups continue to demand full transparency, truth, and justice for the 37 lives lost.
news Presidency Brands Economist’s Tinubu Hate Claim Intellectual Fraud as Reforms Push On
world Hegseth Declares Commanders Back in Charge with Major IG Reforms Across War Department
news Suspected Cattle Rustlers Injure Youth in Isolated Bokkos Attack as Plateau Troops Respond
world Trump Credits US Forces as Dozens of Iranian Terror Leaders Sent Straight to Hell
politics Sowore Demands ₦500,000 Wage for INEC Staff, Threatens 2027 Election Boycott
How do you feel about this news?
Community Additions
Have a news tip, correction, or extra context about this story? Post it below instantly. All submissions appear live on this screen immediately.