The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a ₦52 million support package for families of 37 persons who died in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) custody in Niger State and survivors of the incident.
The APC National Chairman, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda, announced the donation when he led members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on a sympathy visit to the Niger State Government in Minna.
Yilwatda said ₦1 million would be given to each of the families of the 37 deceased persons, amounting to ₦37 million.
He added that ₦500,000 would be given to each surviving artisanal miner affected by the incident, bringing the total donation to ₦52 million.
The APC chairman expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased and described the incident as unfortunate and painful.
He said the donation was intended to support the affected families and survivors during the difficult period.
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Yilwatda also commended the Niger State Government for its response to the incident and called for continued efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Responding, Niger State Governor, Mr Mohammed Umaru Bago, thanked the APC national chairman and members of the NWC for the visit and support.
Bago said the visit “speaks volumes” and appreciated the party for what he described as its “magnanimity”.
He confirmed that the ₦52 million would be distributed through the committee headed by the Deputy Governor in collaboration with the Minna Emirate.
The governor described the incident as a “very depressing moment”, noting that 37 citizens lost their lives in one night.
He said committees set up by the Federal Government and the Niger State Government, as well as the State Judicial Commission of Inquiry, were working to establish what happened.
Bago said he was confident that the investigations would uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He thanked the APC national chairman and the party for its support, and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and strength for their families.
The governor also assured the APC leadership of the state’s continued support for the party, saying internal issues were being addressed.
He described the APC as a “strong political family” in Niger State and expressed confidence in continued cooperation between the state and the party’s national leadership.
