Suspended Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Aniviye, has apologised to the families of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in custody, describing the incident as a costly mistake that could have been avoided.
According to a report by AIT, Aniviye expressed regret while testifying before a panel of inquiry investigating the deaths in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The panel, chaired by Justice Mohammed Mohammed, is examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, which occurred after the suspects were arrested during mining-related operations in September.
Former NSCDC Official Says Warning Was Ignored
During the inquiry, Stephen Tsado, the suspended head of the NSCDC legal unit, said he had advised Aniviye to release underage suspects to their parents on bail.
However, Tsado told the panel that the commandant did not act on his advice.
The testimony has raised questions about how the suspects were handled after their arrest and whether appropriate procedures were followed while they remained in custody.
How the Miners Were Arrested
Aniviye told the panel that the operation followed complaints from residents around the M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate about mining activities in their communities.
He said he visited the location on September 15 before deploying mining marshals. The officers subsequently arrested the suspected illegal miners the following evening.
According to his testimony, he learnt about the deaths through a telephone call on September 17.
Aniviye said he returned to the command’s office and found the bodies lying on the floor of the detention cell.
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He added that he informed Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, who directed that the bodies be taken to a mortuary. The suspended commandant also said he contacted the state Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services.
Aniviye further told the panel that the suspects had been scheduled to appear in court on September 17, the day he learnt of their deaths.
Nurse Raises Concern Over Identity of One Victim
Maryam Etang, a nurse attached to the NSCDC medical unit, also testified before the inquiry panel.
She said she was shocked to find the body of a man identified as Emeka Emmanuel among those brought out of the detention cell.
According to Etang, Emmanuel was not among the miners arrested during the operation.
Her testimony raises further questions about the identities of those who died in custody and the circumstances that led to their detention. The panel’s investigation is expected to examine these issues.
Federal Government Orders Investigation
The 37 suspected illegal miners reportedly died in NSCDC custody after their arrests in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages of Niger State in September.
Following the incident, the Federal Government suspended Aniviye and ordered an investigation into the deaths.
It also established a 10-member independent committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
On October 5, Vice-President Kashim Shettima visited Minna and announced a Federal Government donation of ₦250 million to support the victims’ families.
As the inquiry continues, Aniviye’s apology and the testimonies of other officials are expected to form part of the evidence considered by the panel. The investigation remains crucial to determining how the 37 suspects died and whether any officials should be held accountable.
