The officer in charge of the detention facility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Niger State Command, Usman Isah Ndamaka, has confessed that he left 37 miners screaming in a cell till they died.
The officer made the confession while testifying before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Minna on Wednesday.
Ndamaka broke down in tears at the panel as he narrated what happened, stating that the cell was overcrowded and hot.
According to the officer, he heard the detained suspects screaming for help but refused to open the cell because he feared they would 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 disclosed that the miners arrived late in the evening during heavy rain, stressing that there were not enough officers on duty to handle them.
"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," he said.
DAILY POST recalls that the Niger State Government had said 37 miners died after they were arrested at M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna for illegal mining activities.
Niger miners' deaths: I left them screaming till they died - NSCDC officer breaks down