The officer in-charge of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) detention facility in Niger State, Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC), Usman Isah Ndamaka, has told a judicial commission of inquiry that he feared the detainees might overpower him and escape upon opening their cell, despite hearing screams and shouts before 37 suspected illegal miners died in custody.
Ndamaka broke down in tears while testifying before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry in Minna, admitting that he failed to prevent the tragedy and apologising to the bereaved families and the Niger State Government.
“An error is already committed. I’m very sorry, sir, for the death of the miners under my custody. It is unfortunate that this happened under my watch.
“I’m pained, and it is very unfortunate it happened. I’m very sorry. I admit my mistake,” he told the commission.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident, Ndamaka said 58 suspects, comprising 33 males and 25 females, were brought to the command, although the detention facility could accommodate only between 28 and 30 people.
The NSCDC officer said the authorities attempted to separate the female detainees from the males by moving them to another facility, but the available accommodation remained inadequate.
According to him, the suspects arrived late in the evening during a downpour, making it difficult to accommodate them in the available cells.
Ndamaka also told the commission that efforts to transfer some of the detainees to the old command facility failed after the Mining Marshals rejected them.
The NSCDC detention officer said he was afraid that opening the overcrowded cell could expose him and the other available personnel to danger if the detainees overpowered them.
The inquiry is seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention and deaths of the 37 suspected miners on September 17, 2026, and determine whether lapses or misconduct contributed to the tragedy.
Appearing before the commission, the Head of the NSCDC Investigation Unit, Chief Superintendent of Corps, Sunday Oluwadere, told the panel that he profiled and investigated the arrested miners and seized exhibits during the investigation.
He regretted the shortcomings in his handling of the matter.
The commission is examining evidence from NSCDC personnel involved in the arrests, investigation and detention of the suspects as it works to establish what happened before the deaths.
The cause of death has yet to be conclusively established based on the evidence collated during the proceedings.
The Chief Consultant Pathologist at the General Hospital, Minna, Dr. Alfa Sule, had told the commission that post-mortem examinations were required to establish the cause of death.
He explained that the examinations required the approval of a coroner, while the collection of samples from the deceased for toxicology and histology analyses required the consent of their families.
According to him, the samples would be sent to a forensic laboratory in Lagos for further examination, with the results expected to help determine what happened after the laboratory analyses.
The commission’s findings are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish whether any individuals or institutions should bear responsibility.
