The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has pledged that anyone found responsible for the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, will not be protected from investigation or possible prosecution.
Audi made the commitment during a condolence visit to the bereaved families and the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago.
The NSCDC chief said the incident had left him deeply distressed and expressed regret that the tragedy occurred in connection with the Corps.
“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,” Audi said.
He said the Corps would cooperate with the ongoing investigation and would not interfere with efforts to establish what led to the deaths.
“I will not interfere with the investigation. Anyone found culpable will not be shielded,” he said.
Audi disclosed that the Federal Government, acting on the directive of the Presidency, had set up a high-powered committee to investigate the incident.
According to him, the NSCDC was cooperating with the committee, while relevant personnel had been placed in protective custody to ensure their availability for questioning and, where necessary, judicial proceedings.
He said the arrangement was intended to protect the integrity of the investigation and allow the circumstances surrounding the deaths to be established.
Audi visited the families alongside members of his management team and also paid a condolence visit to the traditional institution.
He said the purpose of the visit was to mourn with the affected families and participate in prayers for the deceased, rather than simply undertake an administrative engagement.
The NSCDC boss also joined Muslim faithful in observing prayers for the dead, referring to the significance of the third and seventh-day prayers.
Bahago, speaking for the traditional institution and the bereaved families, thanked Audi for coming personally to identify with the community during the period of mourning.
The emir also commended the NSCDC’s response after the incident and its cooperation with the presidential investigative committee.
Bahago said the deaths had left the families and the wider community grieving, with relatives now looking to the investigation for answers and accountability.
He described Audi’s visit as both a condolence gesture and an indication that the circumstances surrounding the tragedy would not be ignored.
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