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​From Dan Amasingha, Minna

​An Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC), Usman Isah Ndamaka, was moved to tears yesterday as he appeared before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry in Minna.

He offered an unreserved apology over the death of 37 miners while in the custody of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

​Ndamaka, who was the officer in charge of the command’s detention facility when the incident occurred on September 17, admitted full responsibility for the tragedy, describing it as a grave mistake.

​The judicial panel was set up by the Niger State Government to probe the circumstances surrounding the fatalities, which reportedly occurred following the arrest of 58 suspected illegal miners comprising 33 males and 25 females.

​Recounting the events that led to the deaths, Ndamaka explained that the facility was originally designed to accommodate between 28 and 30 detainees.

​He stated that while female suspects were separated and relocated to another facility, accommodating the remaining male detainees presented a severe logistical challenge.

​According to him, the suspects arrived late in the evening during a heavy downpour, making an immediate transfer difficult. An attempt to relocate some of the detainees to the old command facility failed after the Mining Marshal rejected the arrangement.

​Ndamaka told the commission that heat, severe overcrowding, and distress caused the male suspects to scream and shout inside the cell.

 However, he admitted that fear of being overpowered prevented him and his subordinates from unlocking the door

​”An error has already been committed. I am very sorry for the death of the miners under my custody,” Ndamaka said in an emotional testimony. “It is unfortunate that this happened under my watch. I am pained, and I admit my mistake.”

Also testifying, the head of the NSCDC investigation unit, Chief Superintendent of Corps Sunday Oluwadere, confirmed that he profiled and investigated the suspects following their arrest and recovered several exhibits.

Under cross-examination by the Niger State Head of the Legal Aid Council, Mrs. Bolanle Jibogun, Oluwadere expressed regret over operational shortcomings during the handling of the suspects.

​Earlier, the Chief Consultant Pathologist at the General Hospital, Minna, Dr. Alfa Sule, informed the panel that post-mortem examinations were required to determine the precise cause of death.

​Dr. Sule stated that conducting the autopsies requires coroner approval, while obtaining toxicology and histology samples for forensic laboratory analysis in Lagos requires the consent of the deceased persons’ families.

 He projected that full forensic results would be ready within two weeks once samples are dispatched.

​Following the incident, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the arrest of 22 officers, including the suspended Niger State Commandant, Siaka Zubeiru Anirive. 

The officers were escorted to the corps’ national headquarters in Abuja for administrative procedures.

​Eight personnel have so far testified before the judicial panel as proceedings continue.

Bayelsa State Government and the South-South Governors Forum (SSGF) have extended their condolences to the government and people of Delta State on the passing of a former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

They also commiserated with the Uduaghan family, his wife, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan and their children, on the painful loss.

Dr.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who is also chairman of the SSGF, said the state and the South-South governors received the news with a profound sense of sorrow.

They described Uduaghan as an exceptional public servant, who was committed to the transformation of Delta State before, during his time as governor and after he left office.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State and the South-South Governors Forum, I extend our deepest condolences to our brother-governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the people of Delta State over the death of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

“We also express our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Uduaghan family, his wife and children.

“The late former governor was reputed as an exceptional public servant, a consummate bridge-builder and a gentleman.

“His shining legacies, remarkable leadership and people-centred governance style endeared him to many in Delta State and beyond.”

Governor Diri prayed that the Almighty God comfort the family and the people of Delta State at this moment and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

From Francis Sadhere, Delta 

Delta State has emerged as the best-performing state in liquidity rating among Nigeria’s 36 states, Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Okenmor Tilije, has disclosed.

Tilije attributed the development to fiscal discipline, improved internally generated revenue and prudent management of public funds by the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

The commissioner made the disclosure during a meeting with management and staff of the Ministry of Finance in Asaba, where he outlined the financial policies and strategies supporting the state government’s development agenda.

He said the administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda had strengthened the state’s financial position through responsible borrowing practices, revenue diversification and reforms designed to improve public financial management.

According to him, Delta State is currently financing its 2026 procurement cycle and implementing major projects across the road, bridge, healthcare and education sectors without taking on new loans.

Tilije described the government’s zero-borrowing approach as a deliberate fiscal policy aimed at meeting development needs with available resources while preventing the accumulation of additional debt.

He explained that the expansion of the state’s revenue base, particularly through non-oil economic activities and improved internally generated revenue, had contributed significantly to its financial stability.

The commissioner stressed that the increase in IGR was not achieved through higher tax rates but through reforms that strengthened revenue collection, widened the tax net, improved compliance and checked leakages.

He added that the government was also working towards introducing more economically sustainable empowerment programmes to improve livelihoods, stimulate economic activities and create greater opportunities for residents.

On workers’ welfare, Tilije said the state had maintained regular salary payments to more than 60,000 public servants, with salaries consistently paid between the 24th and 25th of every month.

He also cited the institutionalisation of the 13th-month salary for public servants as evidence of the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and financial security.

In the health sector, the commissioner said the government had sustained free medical services for pregnant women and children below five years of age in government hospitals.

He noted that efforts were also ongoing to upgrade primary healthcare centres across the state to improve access to essential medical services.

Tilije assured residents that the administration would continue to prioritise fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development and investment in human capital, maintaining that prudent management of public resources remained central to achieving its development objectives.

He urged Deltans to support Governor Oborevwori’s re-election bid in 2027, expressing confidence that a continuation of the administration would enable it to consolidate its achievements and pursue further development across the state.