Parents of artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, have demanded compensation for the affected families.
The parents said compensation would help provide relief to the bereaved families, while also promoting accountability among law enforcement personnel.
One of the parents, 50-year-old Musa Aliyu, said he lost his two sons, Ibrahim, 17, and Abubakar, 12, in the incident. Aliyu, who has been ill for about a year, said the children were an important source of financial support, particularly for his medical expenses.
According to him, the boys left home on Wednesday for an artisanal mining site at Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate but did not return.
He said his wife later went to the Civil Defence office after hearing that some miners had been arrested, where she was informed that their children had died. The family was subsequently directed to the General Hospital to identify and collect the bodies.
Another parent, Lawal Mohammad, said his 15-year-old son, Suleiman, also died in the incident.
Mohammad said he attempted to take food to his son after his arrest but was denied access. He later returned to the Civil Defence office the following morning and was informed that his son had died.
The grieving father called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and demanded compensation for the affected families.
The parents also urged the relevant authorities to ensure that anyone found responsible for the deaths is held accountable.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported the accounts on Friday.
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