{
  "id": 15334194,
  "title": "Niger Miners’ Deaths: Suspended Niger NSCDC Commandant Admits ‘Costly Mistake’, Apologises",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/niger-miners-deaths-suspended-niger-nscdc-commandant-admits-costly",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T02:12:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/18/niger-miners-deaths-suspended-niger-nscdc-commandant-admits-costly-mistake-apologises/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The suspended Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, Siaka Zubeiru Anirive, has admitted to a \"costly mistake\" following the deaths of suspected illegal miners in his custody. Anirive testified before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Commission of Inquiry in Minna, expressing remorse to the bereaved families and the Niger State Government. He revealed that his legal officer advised him to release minors arrested during the operation, which he acknowledged as a mistake. The incident occurred during his tenure as NSCDC Commandant, from August 25, 2025, to September 18, 2026. Testimony also surfaced regarding the handling of the detainees, with allegations that the advice to release minors on bail was ignored. Anirive's testimony, along with that of his legal officer, Stephen Tsado, raises questions about the handling of the detainees and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Niger miners’ deaths: NSCDC mining marshals deny involvement in fatal operation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/niger-miners-deaths-nscdc-mining-marshals-deny-involvement-in-fatal",
        "published": "2026-10-17T21:24:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}