A committee set up to investigate the deaths of over 70 miners in Niger State has recommended a compensation package of N1.4bn for the families of the deceased and survivors, according to Vanguard News. The Niger State Council for Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (NSCDCD) and some of its officials are recommended for dismissal. The NDSCD also recommends a restitutive package, a compensation of N30m for each of the 33 bereaved families and N10m to each of the 41 survivors, representing a total compensation package of N1.4 billion. The committee’s report comes after an incident in August 2026 where a mining pit collapsed in the Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, killing 73 artisanal miners and injuring 41 others. The incident sparked outrage and calls for justice and accountability from various quarters. It remains unclear when the compensation will be disbursed and whether the recommended dismissals will take place. The tragic incident highlights the need for improved safety measures and regulations in Nigeria’s artisanal mining sector, a critical source of income for many Nigerians but one that is often plagued by unsafe working conditions and lack of government oversight.
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