Niger State Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna, the state capital, following violent unrest linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
The curfew took effect immediately after Friday’s Jumu’ah prayers on September 18 and will remain in force until further notice.
Governor Bago announced the directive on Friday when he received the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who was on a sympathy visit to the state. He ordered residents to remain indoors and suspend all unnecessary movements, and directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and protect lives and property.
The unrest erupted on Thursday night and Friday morning in areas including Tunga, Maitumbi and Bosso Road, after news spread that 37 persons arrested during NSCDC operations against illegal mining at the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis between September 15 and 16 had died in detention. The NSCDC initially attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak, but survivors alleged suffocation in a poorly ventilated and overcrowded cell.
The protest degenerated into vandalism. According to the governor, hoodlums attacked the Niger State Transport Authority fleet, vandalised Sterling Bank, destroyed political party offices and looted private businesses and markets.
“Immediately after the Friday mosque, we are putting a 24-hour curfew here in Minna. The buses in the state transport company have been vandalised, people’s businesses destroyed. Vandals are taking over the streets and there is a need to curtail this to have calm,” Bago said.
The governor declared three days of mourning for the victims and cancelled an APC political rally scheduled for Saturday in Minna. He said the state government has constituted a committee of inquiry and ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the cause of death, with preliminary findings indicating foam mixed with blood in some victims and peeling skin, raising questions about possible exposure to hazardous substances.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has ordered a full-scale investigation. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, who has been directed to report to the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja to face a panel of inquiry along with heads of operations, mining, legal and intelligence units. A new commandant has been appointed to take charge.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu also met with Governor Bago, assuring of a transparent investigation.
Residents have been urged to remain calm, keep their children indoors and comply with security directives while investigations continue.
