Parents of artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State, have demanded compensation for the bereaved families.

The parents said compensation would help provide relief to affected families and serve as a deterrent against abuse of power by law enforcement personnel.

One of the parents, 50-year-old Musa Aliyu, said he lost two sons, Ibrahim, 17, and Abubakar, 12, in the incident.

Aliyu, who said he had been ill for about a year, described his late sons as an important source of support, particularly for purchasing his medication.

He said the boys left home on Wednesday for the mining site at the Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate but did not return that evening.

According to him, his wife later went to the Civil Defence office after learning that some miners had been arrested, where she joined other relatives searching for their children.

Aliyu said the family was informed that the boys had died and was directed to the General Hospital to identify and collect their bodies.

Another parent, Lawal Mohammad, said his 15-year-old son, Suleiman, also died in custody.

Mohammad said he attempted to take food to his son after his arrest but was denied access by NSCDC personnel. He said he returned to the Civil Defence office the following morning and was informed that his son had died.

He said he witnessed the bodies being brought out and loaded into ambulances, adding that those responsible should be made to pay compensation.

Mohammad said his son had taken up artisanal mining to earn a living and support the family.

The parents called on relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths and ensure that anyone found responsible was held accountable.

The deaths occurred after suspected illegal miners were arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago confirmed that 37 suspected miners died in custody. The NSCDC initially reported a suspected disease outbreak, but authorities have said that the actual cause of the deaths remains subject to investigation and medical examination.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full and transparent investigation into the incident and directed that any official found culpable through negligence, abuse or other wrongdoing should face prosecution.