Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has imposed a 12-hour curfew across Minna, the state capital, following violent protests over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The curfew, which runs from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., takes effect immediately and is aimed at restoring law and order after youths took over major roads and streets across the city.
The protests erupted after the miners died on Thursday while being detained at an NSCDC facility in Minna.
During the unrest, protesters reportedly destroyed buses, particularly vehicles belonging to the state-owned transport authority, while banks, businesses and offices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were also attacked.
Governor Bago announced the curfew on Friday when the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, accompanied by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, paid a condolence visit to the Government House in Minna.
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Bago told the minister that the violence had resulted in the vandalisation of the state transport company’s fleet, damage to Sterling Bank, destruction of party offices and looting of private businesses.
He warned that the situation was deteriorating, with vandals taking over parts of the city, and said urgent measures were required to prevent further escalation.
The governor said the curfew would commence immediately after Friday prayers and appealed to residents to remain calm and keep their children at home while investigations continue.
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Bago said preliminary accounts from survivors pointed to suffocation and dehydration as possible causes of death. However, he added that preliminary forensic observations reportedly showed foam mixed with bloodstains coming from the mouths of some victims, alongside peeling skin.
The governor commended the NSCDC Commandant General for suspending the former Niger State Commandant, who allegedly authorised the prolonged detention of the miners without trial.
He described the prolonged detention as callous and reckless, adding that officers on duty allegedly ignored the detainees’ cries for help despite their complaints that they were dying.
Bago disclosed that security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services, had been deployed to contain the violence and prevent further escalation.
He appealed to residents to exercise restraint and allow authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The governor also condemned the destruction of public infrastructure, private property, markets, businesses and schools, describing the attacks as an “affront to governance.” He warned that such acts would not be tolerated.
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In a separate measure, Bago ordered the immediate suspension of all mining activities, both legal and illegal, across Niger State pending soil tests to determine whether hazardous substances were present in mining areas.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo expressed the Federal Government’s condolences to the families of the deceased and assured the people of Niger State that the incident would be thoroughly addressed.
He said the Federal Government would not allow the matter to be swept under the carpet.
