Fresh facts have emerged that not all 37 persons who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State, North-Central Nigeria were artisanal miners.
Among them were other detainees such as Emmanuel Emeka, who was accused of stealing from his boss, a pharmacy operator.
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, who made this known during the three-day prayers for the repose of the dead held at the Tunga Central Mosque, added that the government will lift the curfew earlier imposed across the state beginning on Monday, September 21.
The prayer session, led by the Chief Imam of the Tunga Central Mosque, Salisu Isah, drew a large turnout of families and loved ones of the deceased, with the Emir of Minna, Umar-Farouk Bahago, in attendance.
While praying for the repose of the dead, Governor Bago revealed that, from preliminary reports received, not only artisanal miners died in the custody of the NSCDC, but also other detainees.
The Governor explained that, in terms of compensation to the families of those who lost their lives including those still receiving treatment in the hospital, the Emir of Minna, Umar-Farouk Bahago, will be in charge of the disbursement committee.
Following what he termed cooperation and total compliance by the residents of the state regarding the dusk-to-dawn curfew, Bago said it will be lifted for people to return to their normal activities.
Further investigation revealed that some of the deceased artisanal Miners were students of Islamiyya School around Tunga, located behind the School of Midwives.
According to one of the guardians of the students, Hamisu Hassan, the Islamiyya School lost five students in the incident, pointing out that the students were from Kano, Katsina and Zaria.
Hassan explained that the deceased used mining to sustain themselves as a means of livelihood before the unfortunate incident, describing it as an act of destiny.
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Editor: Terverr Tyav
