An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC) Usman Isah Ndamaka, has admitted that he heard detained miners screaming for help before they died but failed to open their cell because he feared they would overpower him.
Ndamaka made the admission while testifying before a judicial commission of inquiry established by the Niger State Government to investigate the deaths of 37 detainees held following operations against suspected illegal mining.
The commission is headed by Justice Mohammed Mohammed.
The NSCDC officer, who was responsible for managing the detention facility at the corps’ Niger State Command, reportedly broke down in tears while giving his testimony. He expressed remorse over the incident and apologised to the victims’ families and residents of the state.
“I am very sorry for the deaths of the miners in my custody. It is unfortunate that this happened under my watch. I am pained, and it is very unfortunate that this happened. I am very sorry. I admit my mistake,” he told the panel.
NSCDC Officer Explains Why He Failed to Open Cell
Explaining why he did not open the cell after hearing the detainees screaming, Ndamaka said he feared the miners would overpower him.
He attributed his inability to intervene to the shortage of personnel at the facility that evening, maintaining that he was concerned about his safety if he attempted to open the door.
“The fear of being overpowered by the detainees prevented me from opening the cell door, despite hearing them screaming and shouting because of overcrowding and the heat inside,” he said.
His testimony has raised questions about the response of officers on duty, the conditions under which the miners were detained and whether timely intervention could have prevented the deaths.
Overcrowding and Extreme Heat Inside Detention Facility
Ndamaka also admitted that the detention cell was overcrowded and that the heat inside had become unbearable for the detainees.
According to his account, the combination of congestion, high temperatures and inadequate staffing created serious difficulties at the facility.
The officer said the miners were brought to the detention centre late in the evening during a heavy downpour.
He explained that accommodating the new arrivals was difficult because male and female suspects had to be separated, limiting the available options for moving detainees into other cells.
The circumstances described by Ndamaka are expected to form part of the commission’s examination of the detention facility’s conditions and the measures taken to safeguard those in custody.
Proposed Transfer of Detainees Failed
The officer further told the commission that attempts to transfer some of the detainees to the old NSCDC command headquarters were unsuccessful.
According to him, the proposed transfer was rejected by the Mining Marshal.
The failed arrangement could become an important part of the inquiry as the panel investigates whether alternative accommodation was available to ease overcrowding and provide safer conditions for the detainees.
The commission is expected to establish the sequence of events leading to the deaths, examine the actions of officers responsible for the miners and identify any operational or institutional lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Although Ndamaka admitted making a mistake and expressed regret, his testimony represents his account of the incident. It does not, on its own, establish the responsibility of other personnel or institutions.
Tinubu Orders Investigation as NSCDC Officers Face Suspension
The Federal Government has also taken action following the deaths of the detainees.
President Bola Tinubu directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered the suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the probe.
A separate 10-member federal committee was also constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether negligence or misconduct occurred.
The federal investigation is separate from the judicial commission of inquiry established by the Niger State Government.
The findings of the investigations are expected to help clarify the circumstances of the deaths and determine whether any individuals or institutions should be held accountable.
What Happened to the 37 Miners in Niger State?
The incident involved 37 detainees who died after being arrested during operations targeting suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna, Niger State.
The deaths have prompted investigations into the handling of the detainees, conditions inside the detention facility and the actions of officers responsible for their custody.
Ndamaka’s admission that he heard the detainees screaming but did not open the cell is likely to remain a central issue as the judicial commission examines what happened.
The panel’s findings will be important in establishing the full circumstances of the tragedy, including whether overcrowding, staffing shortages, failed transfer arrangements or other factors contributed to the deaths.