Families of 37 miners, who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have rejected the N100,000 condolence payment offered by the Niger State Government, describing it as inadequate and demanding justice.
The families reportedly turned down the money, which they described as ‘blood money,’ insisting that the lives of their loved ones cannot be reduced to a token payment.
The miners died in NSCDC custody under circumstances that have raised questions and triggered demands for accountability. Their relatives are now calling for a transparent investigation to establish what happened, who was responsible, and whether negligence or other wrongdoing contributed to the deaths.
Their rejection of the payment has added pressure on the Niger State Government and security agencies to address the circumstances surrounding the deaths and respond to the families’ demands for justice.
For the bereaved families, the issue is no longer simply about compensation. They want the truth about how 37 miners lost their lives – and accountability for those responsible.