Victims
Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger, has presented cheques of over N250 million to families of the deceased and survivors of the Sept. 17 incident at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) facility in Minna.
Umaru-Bago made the presentation on Monday at the Government House in Minna.
Bago explained that N5 million would be given to each family of the deceased, while N2 million would be given to each survivor.
“We have a total number of 37 deaths at the facility of the Civil Defence Corps. We had an additional death during the riots from a gunshot at the facility of the Civil Defence, which made 38 dead.
“Again, from the records, we had 32 survivors at the Civil Defence facility. However, we have additional people who surfaced and are making claims that they were released earlier. Forensic verification is being conducted,” he said.
He said a forensic audit was being conducted to ascertain the validity of the claims by those who had surfaced.
Bago said the gesture was aimed at supporting the families of the deceased and encouraging survivors to desist from unprofessional mining practices and enrol their children in school.
He commended Alhaji Farouk Umar-Bahago, the Emir of Minna, for his continued support and wise counsel to the government and families of the victims, which, he said, had helped to calm the situation.
The governor also thanked the families of the victims for their patience and perseverance.
Responding on behalf of the families of the deceased and survivors, the Emir appreciated the governor for his concern and support.
He assured the government that the donations would be adequately distributed to the affected families.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that symbolic presentations of the cheques were made to the Emir of Minna for onward distribution to the beneficiaries.
Some of the families of the deceased and survivors who spoke to NAN expressed gratitude to the state government for the support and pledged to use the funds for meaningful ventures.(NAN).
