The Niger Government on Sunday held a special prayer session for the repose of the souls of the 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger Command.
The special prayer session was held at the Tunga Central Mosque, Minna, and was led by Jibrin Isah, Chief Imam of Minna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased, comfort for their bereaved families and divine guidance and wisdom for Gov. Umaru Bago and other leaders.
Prayers were also offered for peace and stability in Niger and Nigeria.
NAN reports that some families of the deceased, government officials, Islamic scholars and other sympathisers attended the prayer session.
Speaking with newsmen after the prayers, Bago reassured the families of the deceased that the government was doing everything possible to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He said the outcome of the investigation would be made public.
“We are not going to take anything for granted; we will make sure we probe as deeply as we can to get the real causes of these deaths,” he said.
Bago said the state government would provide palliatives to support the families of the deceased, adding that the Minna Emirate Council would be involved in the distribution process.
“The Emir himself will be superintendent over whatever the state government is going to give to the families of the deceased and will also find a way of reaching out to those still in the hospital,” he said.
The governor also announced that the curfew imposed in Minna metropolis following the unrest triggered by the deaths would be lifted after Sunday night.
He appealed to residents, particularly youths, to shun violence and maintain peace and order in the metropolis.
Bago urged the people to remain calm and allow the ongoing investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.(
