Niger 37: I’m Heartbroken, NSCDC Boss Tells Bereaved Families, Minna Emir

The commandant -general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has expressed deep pain and remorse over the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, saying the tragedy has left him “heartbroken and demoralised.”

The NSCDC boss, according to a source who accompanied him on a trip to Niger State, but pleaded anonymity, told the bereaved families that he was heartbroken and demoralised by the incident.

Audi led the delegation of his management team on a condolence visit to the families and the traditional institution.

According to a statement by the NSCDC national public relations officer, ACC Babawale Afolabi, Audi spoke when he paid a condolence visit to the bereaved families, the family of the surviving miner and the Emir of Minna, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, to identify with them in their moment of grief.

Audi, while conveying his condolences to the families and the traditional institution, said, “ This is so touching and painful. The incident left me demoralised, and I regret that something like this could have happened courtesy of the Corps.”

The NSCDC boss said the loss of the miners was deeply painful, stressing that the Corps would cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

He assured the bereaved families and the royal father that he would not interfere with the investigation, adding that anyone found culpable would not be shielded.

“I will not interfere with the investigation. Anyone found culpable will not be shielded,” he assured.

Audi disclosed that the federal government, under the directive of the Presidency, had constituted a high-powered investigative committee to probe the incident and establish what led to the deaths.

He said the NSCDC was fully cooperating with the committee, adding that relevant personnel had already been placed in protective custody to make them available for transparent interrogation and, where necessary, the judicial process.

The commandant general said the measures were necessary to ensure that the investigation was conducted without interference and that the truth surrounding the tragedy was established.

He also explained that his visit was not merely administrative, noting that he had come to mourn with the affected families and join Muslim faithful in prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

Audi highlighted the significance of the third and seventh-day prayers for the departed, saying his presence was also an expression of solidarity with the families as they struggle to come to terms with their loss.

Responding on behalf of the traditional institution and the bereaved families, the Emir of Minna, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Farouk Bahago, expressed appreciation to the NSCDC boss for personally visiting the community and identifying with the families at such a painful time.

The royal father also commended the administrative actions taken by the Corps following the incident and its cooperation with the Presidential investigative committee.

He said, “For the families, however, the visit came at a time when the reality of their loss remains painfully fresh. The death of our young 37 miners has left relatives and the wider community mourning, with many now looking to the ongoing investigation to provide answers and establish responsibility.

Today, “ We see your visit both as a message of condolence and a pledge that the circumstances surrounding the tragedy would not be ignored. He added.