The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra Command, has joined in the three day mourning ordered by its Headquarters, Abuja, to mourn the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger state.
The Head, Media and Tactical Operations, NSCDC, Anambra Command, Superintendent of Corps (SC) Edwin Okadigbo, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Awka.
The 37 suspected illegal miners lost their lives in the custody of the Niger command of the Corps on Thursday.
“The NSCDC, Anambra Command, has joined the nation in mourning the painful and unfortunate loss of 37 lives in custody at Minna, Niger on September 17.
“Following the tragic incident involving suspected illegal miners who died in custody at the Niger Command, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, has directed that all NSCDC formations across the federation should fly service flags at half-mast for three days as a mark of honour and collective mourning.
“In compliance with the directive of the Commandant General, the Anambra Command under the leadership of Commandant Maku Olatunde, has instructed that all service flags at the State Command Headquarters, Area Commands, Divisional Offices and all other formations across Anambra be flown at half-mast from September 20 to 23, 2026, to signal our collective mourning and solidarity,” he said.
Okadigbo described the tragedy as a very difficult and sober moment for the entire corps.
According to him, while no words can be enough to ease the pain of the bereaved families, we wish to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, to the government and good people of Niger state and to all Nigerians affected by this tragedy.
“We pray that the Almighty God grants families, friends and loved ones of the departed the fortitude to bear this irreparable and irreplaceable loss. We also pray for quick and full recovery to those who survived.
He quoted Olatunde as saying that the corps deeply regrets the incident and reaffirmed its commitment to the sanctity of human life.
The Commandant also assured that the command stands by the thorough and transparent investigation ordered by the Federal Government through the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. (NAN)
