A suspended Niger State commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) apologises to families of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the agency’s custody. Suberu Aniviye describes the deaths as a costly, avoidable mistake during his tenure, telling families he is seeking their forgiveness while testifying before a panel of inquiry in Minna.
Across the reports, outlets link the deaths to NSCDC operations in September in and around M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate and nearby areas, following residents’ complaints about mining activity. Aniviye says he visited a site on September 15, mining marshals arrested suspects the following evening, and he learned of the deaths via a telephone call on September 17, finding bodies in a detention cell. He says he notified Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, police authorities, and DSS. One outlet adds that an NSCDC legal officer says advice about releasing underage suspects on bail was not followed, and another reports a nurse describing an unexpected body among those brought out.
All outlets also reference the federal government’s suspension of Aniviye and an investigation into the incident, with coverage noting that Vice-President Kashim Shettima later announces a donation to the victims’ families.
