The Federal Government has donated N250 million to support the families of 37 persons who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced the donation on Monday when he paid a condolence visit to the government and people of Niger over the incident.

Shettima conveyed the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the government and people of the state over the tragedy.

He said the Federal Government was in Niger to share in the grief of the people, listen to their concerns and reaffirm its commitment to protecting every citizen.

“We come as sympathisers, as parents, as uncles and aunts, as brothers and sisters, and above all as leaders entrusted with your protection.

“We have come to share your grief, to hear your concerns, to stand beside the bereaved and to reaffirm our obligation to protect every citizen without distinction or exception.

“The death of 37 young men in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is a stain on our national conscience.

“A citizen deprived of liberty remains entitled to the protection of the state. No allegation, however grave, diminishes that entitlement,” Shettima said.

The Vice-President assured that justice would be served and anyone found culpable would be held accountable.

He said no uniform or position should shield anyone from accountability, stressing that the government owed justice to the deceased, answers to their families and due process to persons under investigation.

Shettima also appealed to the people of Niger not to politicise the tragedy or use it to demonise Gov. Umaru Bago, noting that the NSCDC was a Federal Government agency and not under the control of the state government.

“We should avoid weaponising the tragedy that has befallen our people to demonise the governor. We need to be fair to each other in this hour of bereavement,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Vice-President personally condoled with families of the victims who were present during the visit.

Responding, Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago appreciated Shettima for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of empathy and evidence that the Federal Government stood with the people of Niger in the difficult moment.

Bago said the state had been bedevilled by several tragedies that had resulted in the loss of many lives.

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support and the N250 million donation to the families of the victims.

The governor appealed to the Federal Government to strengthen regulation of the mining sector, protect national assets and provide safe, legal and dignified opportunities for young people.

“The tragedy of Sept. 17 must not be allowed to repeat itself, not in Minna, not anywhere in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)