I Feared They Would Overpower Me’: NSCDC Officer on Death of 37 Miners

An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC) Usman Isah Ndamaka, has told a judicial commission of inquiry that fear of being overpowered by detainees prevented him from opening an overcrowded cell before 37 suspected miners died in custody in Niger State.

Ndamaka, who was in charge of the NSCDC detention facility, gave the account while testifying before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry in Minna. He broke down in tears during his testimony, admitting that he failed to prevent the incident 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,” he told the commission.

He further expressed regret over the incident, saying he was deeply pained by the deaths and accepting responsibility for his mistakes.

Explaining how the suspects were brought to the facility, Ndamaka said a total of 58 people, comprising 33 males and 25 females, were brought to the command, despite the detention centre having a capacity of only 28 to 30 inmates.

According to him, officials attempted to separate the female detainees from the male suspects by moving the women to another facility. However, the available accommodation remained insufficient.

He added that the suspects arrived late in the evening during heavy rainfall, further complicating efforts to find suitable accommodation for them.

Ndamaka also disclosed that an attempt to transfer some of the detainees to the old command facility was unsuccessful after the Mining Marshals rejected them.

He told the panel that he feared opening the overcrowded cell because he believed the detainees could overpower him and the few personnel available at the facility.

His testimony has raised further questions about the conditions under which the suspects were detained and the response of officers who reportedly heard them screaming and shouting before the deaths.

Commission Probes Circumstances of Miners’ Deaths

The commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the arrest, detention and deaths of the 37 suspected miners on September 17, 2026. It is also examining whether negligence, procedural failures or misconduct contributed to the tragedy.

The Head of the NSCDC Investigation Unit, Chief Superintendent of Corps Sunday Oluwadere, also appeared before the panel.

Oluwadere told the commission that he profiled and investigated the arrested miners and handled exhibits seized during the investigation. He also expressed regret over shortcomings in the way he managed the matter.

The inquiry is gathering evidence from officers involved in the arrest, investigation and detention of the suspects to establish what happened before their deaths and determine whether any individuals or institutions should be held accountable.

Cause of Death Yet to Be Established

The precise cause of the 37 miners’ deaths has yet to be conclusively established based on the evidence presented in the proceedings.

Earlier, the Chief Consultant Pathologist at the General Hospital, Minna, Dr Alfa Sule, told the commission that post-mortem examinations were necessary to determine the cause of death.

Sule explained that the examinations required the approval of a coroner, while collecting samples from the deceased for toxicology and histology tests required the consent of their families.

He said the samples would be sent to a forensic laboratory in Lagos for further analysis, with the results expected after the examinations had been completed.

The commission’s final findings are expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths, identify any lapses in the handling of the detainees and establish responsibility where necessary.