The Federal Government has donated N250 million to the families of the 37 illegal artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the donation when he visited Niger State to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the incident in Minna.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said although no amount of money could compensate for the lives lost, the donation was intended to cushion the hardship being experienced by the bereaved families.
According to him, his administration would not rest until those responsible for the deaths were brought to justice, noting that the Federal Government had constituted an independent panel to investigate the incident.
He assured that anyone found culpable, irrespective of how highly placed, would face the full wrath of the law.
The President also reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians at all times.
In his remarks, the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, thanked the Federal Government for identifying with the state at a period of grief.
Bago noted that the President’s visit coincided with the day the committee constituted by the state government to investigate the cause of the tragedy was expected to submit its report.