An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, Usman Isah Ndamaka, has admitted that he failed to open a detention cell despite hearing 37 detained miners screaming for help before they died.
Ndamaka, who was in charge of the detention facility, made the disclosure while testifying before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Minna on Wednesday.
The officer reportedly broke down in tears while narrating the circumstances surrounding the deaths, explaining that the cell was overcrowded and extremely hot.
According to him, he heard the detainees shouting for help but was afraid to open the cell door because he feared they could 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 told the panel that the miners arrived late in the evening amid heavy rainfall, adding that there were insufficient officers on duty to manage the detainees.
Expressing remorse over the incident, he apologised for the deaths and acknowledged his failure to act.
“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 that he was deeply pained by the incident and admitted his mistake.
The Niger State Government had earlier announced that 37 miners died after they were arrested at the M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna over alleged illegal mining activities.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the events that led to the fatal incident.