By Palang Paul
Security forces in Minna, Niger State, have fired shots and deployed tear gas to disperse protesters demanding justice over the deaths of 37 detained mining suspects.
The protests entered their second day on Friday, September 18, 2026, as hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of the state capital, with some protesters attacking government facilities.
The protesters were demanding answers over the deaths of the 37 miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The suspects were arrested during enforcement operations on September 15 and 16 in the Wushishi-Lukoto axis, west of Minna, over alleged illegal mining activities.
Locals says that it was unclear whether security personnel fired live ammunition or anti-riot pellets during Friday’s protest. However, a witness told Journalist that bullets were used, while a body was reportedly seen lying on the ground.
The development prompted Niger State Governor Umar Bago to impose a 24-hour curfew on Friday as authorities moved to contain the unrest.
The Federal Government has also promised a full investigation into the deaths, while the NSCDC commandant in Niger State, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, was suspended by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo pending the outcome of the investigation.
The NSCDC initially suggested that an outbreak of disease may have caused the deaths but later said the actual cause had not been established and that further investigations, including medical examinations, would be conducted.
However, the miners were buried on Thursday evening, raising questions over whether post-mortem examinations can still determine the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Some survivors also told Journalists that detainees struggled to breathe inside the facility.
One survivor, Dauda Shehu, told journalists that detainees were packed into the cell and repeatedly appealed for help after experiencing difficulty breathing.
The deaths have triggered anger among families and residents in Minna, with relatives gathering at the hospital where the bodies were kept before their burial.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government’s imposition of the curfew brought the Friday protests under control.
The authorities have yet to publicly establish the definitive cause of death of the 37 detainees, while investigations into the incident continue.
Post Comment