An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Niger State, Usman Isah Ndamaka, has admitted that he failed to rescue 37 detained miners who died in a cell under his supervision.

Ndamaka, who was in charge of the detention facility at the NSCDC Niger State Command, made the admission on Wednesday while testifying before a Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Minna.

The officer reportedly broke down in tears as he recounted how he heard the detainees screaming for help but refused to open the cell because he feared they might overpower him.

He attributed the deaths to overcrowding and excessive heat inside the cell.Ndamaka said the miners were brought to the facility late in the evening during heavy rainfall, adding that there were insufficient officers on duty to handle the situation.

Expressing remorse, he apologised for the deaths and admitted that he had made a mistake.

The Niger State Government had earlier announced that 37 miners died after they were arrested at the M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna over alleged illegal mining activities.