NSCDC Commandant Apologizes for 37 Miners' Deaths

Suberu Aniviye, the suspended commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), apologized to the families of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the agency’s custody. He made this apology while testifying before a panel of inquiry in Minna, chaired by Mohammed Mohammed.

Aniviye described the incident as a costly mistake that could have been avoided. He explained that the operation leading to the arrests was initiated due to complaints from residents regarding mining activities.

The arrests occurred on September 15 and 16, and Aniviye learned of the deaths on September 17 when he found the bodies in the detention cell. He informed Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, who ordered the bodies to be moved to a mortuary.

Aniviye also contacted the state commissioner of police and the director of the Department of State Services. Following the incident, the federal government suspended Aniviye and initiated an investigation, forming a 10-member independent committee.

On October 5, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced a federal donation of N250 million to the victims' families.