*Urges Continued Collaboration By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has condoled with t...
*Urges Continued Collaboration
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has condoled with the leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Mines Workers (NUMW) over the loss of their members in an incident involving officers of the Corps.
The NSCDC Commandant in Niger State, CC Abdullahi Salisu Kabara, conveyed his condolences and offered prayers for the deceased when he sent a delegation led by the Deputy Commandant of the Corps, Bakari Hakim, to the union’s state secretariat.
The delegation also included the NLC Desk Officer, Ibrahim A. Agboola; Ibrahim Danlami Alhassan, Chief Imam of the Command; and SP Dalhatu Usman Kuta.
While delivering the condolence message, Bakari Hakim described the incident as unfortunate and expressed concern over the loss of lives.
He said the NSCDC sympathised with the leadership of NUMW and the relatives of the victims, adding that the Corps was committed to addressing any wrongdoing involving its personnel.
“On behalf of the NSCDC, we offer our condolences to the leadership of the NUMW and the relatives of the victims,” he said.
He stressed the need for continued cooperation between the NSCDC and NUMW, saying both organisations had maintained a cordial relationship over the years.
“We are mutual friends with NUMW. We understand when there is a mistake, and our Command is ready to correct the way some of our officers are carrying out their duties,” he said.
Responding, the Niger State Chairman of NUMW, Comrade Musa Adamu Nasko, said the union accepted the condolence visit but had complaints concerning the incident.
He warned that the union could seek legal redress if the NSCDC failed to take appropriate action over the matter.
Nasko alleged that following the arrest of some of the union’s members, four Bajaj motorcycles, nine mobile phones, two bottles containing gold reportedly weighing 50 grammes, and ₦1.35 million were allegedly taken from the miners by an NSCDC officer identified as Mr Daban.
He said the items were taken from members of the union in Shiroro Local Government Area and had not been returned to them.
Nasko further alleged that seven NUMW members were among those who lost their lives out of the 10 people arrested from the Galkogo area of Shiroro Local Government Area.
He described NUMW members as law-abiding citizens, saying membership of the union was subject to the legal requirements governing participation in the mining industry.
He called on the NSCDC to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable in accordance with the law.
The meeting was attended by the NUMW State Secretary, Comrade Salawu Mohammed; local government chairmen of the union; and other members from Niger State and various local government areas.
Prayers were offered for the deceased, Niger State and the country, with participants calling for peace and an end to bloodshed arising from the prevailing insecurity in the affected communities.
No comments