Fresh details have emerged surrounding the deaths of detained miners in Niger State after an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC) Usman Isah Ndamaka, admitted that he heard the detainees screaming before they died but failed to open their cell.
Ndamaka made the admission while appearing before a judicial commission of inquiry established by the Niger State Government to investigate the incident.
The panel is headed by Justice Mohammed Mohammed.
The officer, who was responsible for managing the detention facility at the NSCDC Niger State Command, broke down in tears during his testimony.
He expressed regret over the deaths and apologised to the affected families and residents of the state.
His testimony has raised further questions about the conditions under which the miners were detained, the response of officers on duty and whether timely intervention could have prevented the tragedy.
Explaining why he did not open the cell, Ndamaka said he was afraid the detainees would overpower him.
He acknowledged hearing their cries but maintained that the shortage of personnel at the facility that evening made it difficult for him to intervene safely.
“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.”
The officer also described the conditions inside the detention facility, admitting that the cell was overcrowded and that the heat had become unbearable for those held there.
He said the fear of being overwhelmed by the detainees prevented him from opening the door, even as their cries continued.
“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.”
Ndamaka’s account suggests that overcrowding and inadequate staffing were among the difficulties facing the detention facility when the incident occurred.
However, his admission that he heard the detainees calling for help without opening the cell is likely to remain a major issue for the commission as it examines the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The inquiry is expected to establish what happened inside the facility, determine the actions taken by officers responsible for the detainees and identify any lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The officer further explained that the miners were brought to the facility late in the evening during a heavy downpour.
According to him, accommodating the new arrivals became difficult because male and female suspects had to be separated.
He said the need to maintain that separation complicated efforts to move the detainees into other cells that were less crowded.
The situation, he explained, left the facility struggling to accommodate the miners under the circumstances.
Ndamaka also told the panel that attempts to transfer some of the detainees to the old NSCDC command headquarters did not succeed.
He said the proposed transfer was rejected by the Mining Marshal.
The failed transfer is another issue the commission may need to examine, particularly in determining whether alternative arrangements were available to reduce congestion and provide safer conditions for the detainees.
Although the officer expressed remorse and admitted making a mistake, the commission’s investigation remains important in establishing the full chain of events.
His testimony represents his account of what happened and does not, on its own, determine the responsibility of other personnel or institutions involved in the handling of the miners.
Moreover, The incident has also drawn the attention of the Federal Government.
Following the deaths, President Bola Tinubu directed a comprehensive investigation, 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 constituted to investigate the circumstances of the deaths and determine possible negligence or misconduct.
The tragedy involved 37 detainees who died after being arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Minna.
