By Charles Olewezi
Minna, the Niger State capital, is under a 24-hour curfew following violent protests triggered by the death of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the curfew on Friday afternoon, saying it takes effect immediately after Juma’at prayers.
“Immediately after the Friday mosque, we are putting a 24-hour curfew here. The State Transport Company, all the buses we have there have been vandalised. Sterling Bank, hit. Party offices destroyed, people’s businesses destroyed,” the Governor said at a press conference.
“Vandals are taking over the street, and there’s need for us to curtail this thing so that we can have calm in the society.”
The tragedy occurred after operatives of the Niger State Command of the NSCDC raided suspected illegal gold mining sites in the Wushishi-Lukoto area, west of Minna, on September 15 and 16.
According to police and NSCDC, scores of suspects were arrested during the operation.
In the early hours of Thursday, September 17, 37 of the detainees were found dead in custody. Pictures of about 33 bodies laid out in a ward at the General Hospital, Minna went viral sparking protests in the capital city.
The NSCDC initially suggested a suspected disease outbreak may have been responsible, but later said the cause of death had not been established and would be determined by medical examinations.
The Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has ordered an investigation.
The Federal Government has moved swiftly to douse tension.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Thursday night ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending outcome of investigation.
“It is an unfortunate incident; however, a full investigation will be conducted while the commandant under whose watch this happened remains suspended,” the Ministry said.
NSCDC Commandant-General has also deployed a high-powered investigative team to Minna, while Governor Bago declared a three-day mourning period and cancelled the APC rally scheduled for Saturday.
Anger over the deaths sparked protests Thursday night, with youths chanting “Justice must be done” and damaging vehicles.
By Friday, the protests escalated, with reports that demonstrators armed with sticks, machetes and hunting rifles attempted to set fire to government buildings in the Tunga area, prompting security forces to open fire. Several government properties and private businesses were vandalised.
As of Friday morning, Minna is calm but heavily policed, with military and police patrols across the city.
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development says it has also sent a team to probe the incident, assuring that “no one culpable will be shielded.”