Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has donated ₦20 million to the families of 37 suspected artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.

Atiku made the donation on Tuesday when he met with families and survivors of the incident during his visit to Minna, according to a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

The former Vice President also paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Minna and Chairman of the Minna Emirate Council, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, and visited former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.).

Atiku described the deaths as a painful reminder of the vulnerability of young Nigerians facing economic hardship and limited opportunities.

He said the circumstances surrounding the deaths required a thorough investigation, stressing that Nigerians held in government custody were entitled to dignity and protection under the law.

“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.

He added: “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.”

Atiku called for truth, justice and accountability, saying, “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.”

He also linked the incident to broader economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living, arguing that government must address the circumstances pushing young Nigerians into dangerous and poorly regulated livelihoods.

The ADC presidential candidate further criticised the economic pressures facing households and said reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on ordinary citizens.

Atiku reiterated his proposal to reduce the cost of living through what he described as a targeted production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, distinguishing it from an open-ended subsidy on imported fuel.

He said the policy would support domestic refining, create jobs and ensure that government intervention translated into lower prices for consumers.

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

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