Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has donated N20 million to the families of 37 artisanal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.

Atiku announced the donation on Tuesday during a visit to Minna. He also paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, and met families and survivors of the incident.

The 37 detainees died on September 17, days after their arrest during NSCDC operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State.

The cause of the deaths has not been conclusively established, and investigations are ongoing.

The Federal Government has set up a 10-member independent investigative committee to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Twenty NSCDC officers, including the Niger State Commandant, have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Addressing the affected families and survivors, Atiku described the incident as a tragedy that demanded truth, justice and accountability.

He said the account given by one of the survivors about the conditions in which the detainees were held was disturbing.

“It was a gory tale listening to one of the survivors. He told us that more than 68 of them were crammed into one small detention facility and that conditions became so desperate that they had to drink one another’s urine just to stay hydrated,” Atiku said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

Atiku said those who died in custody were entitled to humane treatment and the protection of the law, regardless of the allegations against them.

“No Nigerian should ever be subjected to such indignity in the custody of his own government. These were human beings in the care of the state. Whatever accusations may have been made against them, they were entitled to their lives, their dignity and the protection of the law,” he said.

He also tied the incident to wider concerns over poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living, saying government policies should be judged by their impact on ordinary Nigerians.

“Thirty-seven young Nigerians entered the custody of the state alive and did not return alive to their families. That tragedy demands truth, justice and accountability,” Atiku said.

He also restated his proposal for a targeted production subsidy on petroleum products refined in Nigeria, saying it would support domestic refining and lower fuel costs for consumers.

“My promise to make life affordable again is not a political slogan. It is a solemn covenant with the Nigerian people.

“We will support what Nigeria produces. We will support fuel refined in Nigeria, create Nigerian jobs and insist that every naira of government support delivers a measurable benefit to the consumer,” he said.

Atiku said government must create conditions that let young Nigerians pursue legitimate livelihoods instead of turning to dangerous activities out of economic necessity.

“The purpose of government is not merely to announce reforms. The purpose of government is to make life better for the people,” he added.

The deaths have raised public concern and prompted investigations by both federal and Niger State authorities.

The state government has also inaugurated a nine-member judicial commission of inquiry to examine the incident and questions of responsibility and accountability.