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Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday visited Minna, the Niger State capital, to commiserate with the government and families of the 37 miners who were killed in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) last month.
The Vice President’s first point of call was the Government House in Minna, where he was received by the state governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, and members of the state executive council.
While speaking at the Government House, Shettima said the circumstances surrounding the death of the 37 miners must not be swept under the carpet.
Shettima told his host that he was in the state to convey the President’s condolences to the government and people of the state.
Shettima, who announced N250 million Federal Government donation to support the families of the victims, said the tragedy should transcend political, religious and other divisions.
He stressed that every citizen is entitled to the protection of the state, adding that “The death of 37 young men in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps calls for initial questions”.
According to him, grief alone could not answer the questions of bereaved families, pointing out that “A grieving mother cannot be consoled by grief, nor can grief answer a father’s questions”.
The Vice President emphasised that no organisation should diminish a citizen’s right to protection, insisting that those responsible must provide answers.
“There can be no room for hiding for leaders when lives are lost within the perimeter of their sphere”.
He however warned that “We should avoid weaponising the departed to demonise Governor Bago. He had no hand in what has befallen their lives”.
He added that every victim deserved dignity, survivors deserved care, while families deserved the truth about what happened.
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Earlier, Bago thanked Shettima for visiting the state on behalf of the President, describing the visit as a demonstration of empathy and solidarity with the affected families and the people of Niger.
The governor acknowledged that the President and Vice President were away from the country when the incident occurred, with Tinubu on vacation and Shettima representing Nigeria at the United Nations General Assembly.
Bago said the message from the President had been clearly delivered to the victims’ families and people of the state.
He also thanked Shettima for his humility and commitment to the region, but noted that the occasion was primarily for mourning and commiseration with families who lost loved ones at the NSCDC facility in Minna.
The governor lamented that Niger State had suffered several tragedies in recent times, including insecurity, mining-related incidents and petrol tanker explosions.
He prayed for the repose of the victims and thanked the Vice President for coming to Niger to identify with the affected families.
Bago subsequently invited relatives of some of the deceased to stand in recognition during the visit.
Some of the victims’ families who spoke after the meeting expressed appreciation for the Vice President’s visit, saying it demonstrated that the Federal Government was concerned about the plight of the affected families.
The Vice President is expected to visit the Emir of Minna, Umar Farouk Bahago, at his palace, and the former military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, at his hilltop mansion before returning to Abuja.
