An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, Usman Isah Ndamaka, has admitted leaving 37 detained miners screaming for help in an overcrowded cell until they died.
Ndamaka, who was in charge of the command’s detention facility, made the admission while testifying before a Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Minna on Wednesday.
The officer reportedly broke down in tears as he recounted the incident, explaining that the cell was overcrowded and excessively hot.
He told the commission that he heard the detainees screaming for help but did not open the cell door because he feared they would overpower him.
“I heard them screaming in the cell till they died. The fear of being overpowered by them prevented me from opening the cell door, despite hearing them screaming and shouting because of overcrowding and the heat inside,” he said.
Ndamaka further disclosed that the miners were brought to the facility late in the evening during heavy rainfall, adding that there were insufficient officers on duty to manage the detainees.
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Expressing remorse over the deaths, he apologised to the families of the victims and acknowledged his responsibility as the officer overseeing the facility.
“I am very sorry for the deaths of the miners in my custody. It is unfortunate that this happened under my watch,” he said.
He added: “I am pained, and it is very unfortunate that this happened. I am very sorry. I admit my mistake.”
The incident followed the arrest of the miners at M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna over alleged illegal mining activities.
The Niger State Government had earlier confirmed that 37 miners died after their arrest, prompting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The commission is examining the incident as part of efforts to establish what happened at the detention facility and determine responsibility for the deaths.