37 Miners’ Death: I Won’t Interfere With Investigation, NSCDC CG Assures Families, Minna Royal Father

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has assured families of the 37 miners who died in the Minna mining tragedy that the Corps will not interfere with the investigation into the incident.

Audi gave the assurance during a condolence and courtesy visit to the bereaved families, the family of the surviving miners and the Emir of Minna, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Farouk Bahago.

A statement by the national public relations officer of the NSCDC, ACC Babawale Afolabi, the Commandant General’s visit was aimed at commiserating directly with the bereaved families, the survivor’s family and the Emir of Minna, while assuring them that the Corps would cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

The NSCDC boss said the Corps would cooperate fully with the investigation and would not shield any personnel or individual found culpable in connection with the deaths.

He stressed that transparency and justice would guide the process as authorities work to establish what led to the tragic loss of lives.

“I want to assure the families that the NSCDC will not interfere with the investigation. Anyone found culpable will not be shielded,” Audi said.

The visit, according to the NSCDC, was intended to enable the Commandant General to personally commiserate with the affected families and identify with the community during the period of mourning.

Audi also addressed concerns surrounding the broader investigation into the mining disaster, disclosing that the federal government, under the directive of the Presidency, had constituted a high-powered investigative committee to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He said the NSCDC was fully cooperating with the committee and had taken steps to ensure that relevant personnel remained available to answer questions during the investigation.

“The NSCDC remains committed to transparency and accountability, I promise not to interfere with the processes, and no individual found culpable in connection with the incident would be shielded from investigation or the judicial process.

According to him, some personnel connected to the incident had already been placed in protective custody to make them available for transparent interrogation and, where necessary, the judicial process.

“We are cooperating fully with the committee because we want the truth to come out. The process must be transparent, and justice must be allowed to take its course,” he said.

The statement further explained that his visit had a spiritual dimension, as he joined Muslim faithful in observing prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for strength and comfort for their families.

He noted the significance of the third and seventh-day prayers for the departed, saying his presence was also an expression of solidarity with the bereaved families and the wider Minna community.

The tragedy has left families and the community mourning the loss of the miners, while questions surrounding the circumstances of the incident remain the subject of official investigation.

Responding on behalf of the traditional institution and the bereaved families,the Emir of Minna, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Farouk Bahago. expressed appreciation to Audi for personally visiting the community and identifying with the families at a difficult moment.

The monarch also commended the administrative steps taken by the NSCDC following the incident and the Corps’ cooperation with the Presidential investigative committee.

He described Audi’s visit as significant, particularly because it demonstrated institutional engagement with the affected families and community.

The royal father thanked the Commandant General for deeming it necessary to personally visit the community, commiserate with the bereaved and participate in prayers for the deceased.

Audi’s visit comes as the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, with the NSCDC maintaining that relevant authorities must be allowed to establish the facts and determine responsibility.

The NSCDC said it would continue to cooperate with the investigative process while respecting the need for a transparent examination of the incident.