The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State chapter, has condemned the deaths of 37 artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
The state CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, described the incident as tragic and unacceptable, calling on the government to constitute committees of inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, in a statement, expressed condolences to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the people of the state and, particularly, the families of the victims.
He urged relatives of the deceased and residents to remain calm and law-abiding while relevant authorities investigate the incident and determine what led to the deaths.
The cleric prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest.