The suspended Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, has apologised to the families of suspected illegal miners who died in custody, admitting that the incident could have been avoided.
Aniviye made the admission on Thursday while testifying before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry investigating the deaths in Minna, Niger State.
He described the incident as a costly mistake and expressed regret that it occurred during his tenure as commandant.
Aniviye apologised to the families of the deceased, as well as the Niger State Government and people, saying he regretted the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The testimony came alongside that of the suspended head of the NSCDC legal unit, Assistant Commandant of Corps Stephen Tsado, who told the commission that he had advised Aniviye to release underage suspects to their parents on bail.
Tsado said the advice was based on the need to protect the rights of the minors in custody.
According to him, the recommendation was made in his capacity as the command’s legal officer and a lawyer, but it was not followed.
Aniviye told the commission that the arrests followed complaints from residents around the M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate over alleged mining activities in the area.
He said he visited the mining site on September 15, 2026, before deploying Mining Marshals to the area.
According to his testimony, the operation was carried out on the evening of September 16, resulting in the arrest of suspected illegal miners.
Aniviye said he learnt of the deaths the following day, September 17, through a telephone call and returned to the command’s office, where he found bodies on the floor of the detention cell.
He told the commission that he subsequently informed Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who directed that the bodies be taken to the mortuary.
The suspended commandant also said he contacted the state Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services following the discovery.
He further disclosed that arrangements had been made to arraign the suspects in court on September 17, before the deaths occurred.
Meanwhile, Maryam Etang, a nurse attached to the NSCDC medical unit, told the commission that she visited the detention cell on September 16 and 17 in the course of her routine duties.
Etang said she was shocked when she saw the body of Emeka Emmanuel among those brought out of the cell. She told the commission that Emmanuel was not among the miners arrested during the operation.
The Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths, the handling of the suspects in custody and the conduct of officers involved in the operation.
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