Families of some of the 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State have rejected a reported ₦100,000 payment from the state government.
The families said they wanted justice and accountability rather than compensation for the deaths of their relatives.
In a video shared online, some relatives alleged that the payment was an attempt to silence them and place a monetary value on the lives lost.
“They are giving us money to silence us, or whatever you may call it. That is what we are asking about. They have given us money to silence us,” one relative said.
The 37 miners reportedly died after they were arrested during anti-illegal mining operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16, 2026.
They were later taken to NSCDC custody in Minna, where they died.
The incident has triggered protests and calls for an independent investigation. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, while relatives and survivors raised concerns about alleged overcrowding and poor treatment in detention.
The actual cause of death has not been established. Forensic examinations and autopsies are reportedly ongoing.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also inaugurated a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
Twenty-one NSCDC personnel were initially suspended over the incident. The number later rose to 24 as more officers became subjects of investigation.
Families demand accountability
The relatives said the money could not replace their loved ones or address the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
One family member said relatives had instructed their children to return the payment.
“If we have been wronged, we have been wronged, and we have left everything to Allah,” the person said.
“We have told our children to return the money to them because they cannot benefit from the blood of their relatives. They will not eat that money.”
Another relative questioned why the government would offer ₦100,000 when many of the miners earned more from their work.
“Today, they have gone into the mine, and by the power of Allah, Allah gives them more than three hundred thousand [naira] for them to live on and take care of their needs,” the relative said.
“But if they see that people are being sent to the mines and our children are being killed, then why should they bring them one hundred thousand naira?”
A grieving woman said the payment appeared to undervalue the lives of the deceased.
“As for this money they brought for them, it is as if they are trying to place a value on their lives because they were not their relatives,” she said.
“If their relatives were still alive today and were with them, they would be worth more than this money.”
The families called for the circumstances surrounding the deaths to be established and for anyone found responsible to face the law.
“What we want is for the money to be used against the person who committed this terrible act; something should also be done to him,” the woman said.
“The government should show him that we too are human beings and that we too have feelings.”
The families also spoke about the hardship caused by the loss of their breadwinners, saying some of the deceased left behind children who now face an uncertain future.
“Some people have three children who are now orphans. Some have nothing at all. Others would normally go and do gold mining so that they could return home and feed their children. Now that has been stopped; what option do they have?” she asked.
Despite their anger, the relatives urged young people not to retaliate.
“Please, my children and my grandchildren, be patient. We have already been wronged; do not retaliate. Leave them to Allah,” one relative said.
The families also alleged that some detained miners faced demands involving mining sites, bail or surrendering land after their arrests.
“And after arresting them, they say it is either the land, or bail, or they should give up the land. Is that how things are done here?” the relative asked.
The allegations have yet to be independently established.
Source: Naija News
