The suspended Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, Siaka Suberu Aniviye, has apologised to the families of suspected illegal miners who died while in the corps’ custody.
Aniviye tendered the apology while testifying before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry established by the Niger State Government to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners detained by the NSCDC.
The commission, sitting in Minna, heard the testimony during its second sitting as it continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
During his appearance, the suspended commandant reportedly admitted that the incident could have been avoided, describing it as a costly mistake, and appealed to the bereaved families for forgiveness.
His admission and apology came amid the commission’s efforts to establish the circumstances that led to the deaths of the detainees and determine whether there were failures in their handling and custody.
