Families of the 37 miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State have rejected a ₦100,000 payment offered by the state government.
The families reportedly described the money as unacceptable, insisting that what they want is justice and a proper investigation into how their loved ones died.
The 37 miners were among suspected illegal miners arrested by the NSCDC before they died in custody. The circumstances surrounding the deaths have triggered public concern, with calls for an independent investigation into the incident.
The Nigerian Bar Association in Minna has also set up a 13-member committee to independently investigate the deaths.
The families are now demanding accountability and answers from the authorities, saying the loss of their loved ones cannot be settled with a token payment.
