NSCDC Minna Tragedy: Govt Offers Cash to Victims’ Families, as EFCC Demands Reports of Mining Transactions Involving PEPs
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has directed operators in the solid mineral industry to report all transactions involving politically exposed persons.
EFCC Chairman, OLA OLUKOYEDE, gave the charge in a message to a group of solid minerals miners at an event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event was the maiden edition of the Rivers State Mining Summit, and the EFCC Chairman was represented by the Head of Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, AUDU SUJI.
OLUKOYEDE also urged them to enhance due diligence in their operations, ensure compliance with regulations, and strengthen ‘Know Your Customer’ mechanisms.
He said such steps would ensure the mitigation of corruption, as well as economic and financial crimes in the sector, warning that failure to comply would attract consequences.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has offered the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira in support of families of thirty-seven suspected illegal miners who died in the detention facility of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Minna.
Nigeria’s Vice President KASHIM SHETTIMA announced the donation when he led officials on a condolence visit to the Niger State Government over the tragic incident, which is still under investigation.
SHETTIMA described the incident as unfortunate, saying the Federal Government shares in the pain of the bereaved families and remains committed to protecting every Nigerian without distinction.
He said the Federal Government owed the bereaved families justice and answers over the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Similarly, the Niger State Government has handed out Five Million Naira to each of the families of thirty-seven artisanal miners who died in the custody of the NSCDC in Minna.
Thirty-two others detained miners who survived the tragedy in the NSCDC detention facility in Minna received the sum of Two Million Naira each.
Governor UMARU BAGO presented the cheques to the families through the Emir of Minna, UMAR BAHAGO, during a meeting at the Government House in Minna.