Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has declared a 24-hour curfew in Minna following protests and unrest linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The curfew takes effect immediately after Friday Jumu’ah prayers and will remain in force until further notice. Residents have been directed to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary movement, while security agencies have been ordered to enforce the directive.
The development followed Thursday’s protest after the bodies of the deceased miners were moved to a mortuary.
Bago also announced the constitution of a state government committee of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
According to the governor, the NSCDC Niger State Commandant and members of his team have been suspended to allow for an investigation.
“The most important is that people died in the custody of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps. They were detained in their cells, and this morning we woke up to the news that 37 of them had died,” Bago said.
He stressed that the official cause of death had not been established and cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigations are completed.
Bago said investigators were examining possible causes including suffocation from overcrowding and exposure to hazardous substances linked to illegal mining, including lead and other chemicals.
He added that forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies were underway to determine the scientific cause of the deaths.
The governor also disclosed that investigations were being conducted by committees set up by the NSCDC, the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, alongside the state government’s panel.
Reports that some victims had peeling skin and were foaming at the mouth with blood are also being examined, he said.
Meanwhile, the illegal mining site in the MiOshishi area has been shut down. Bago said mining activities there had been carried out without appropriate technology and safety equipment.
Interior Minister orders investigation
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the deaths.
The NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, subsequently directed the Niger State Commandant to step aside and report to the corps’ headquarters in Abuja to appear before the panel investigating the incident.
The Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation were also directed to report to the panel.
A new commandant has been ordered to take charge of the Niger State Command.
The NSCDC said personnel found to have breached the law or established professional standards would face appropriate sanctions.
FG expresses condolences
The Federal Government has also expressed condolences to the families of those who died during enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State.
Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said the circumstances surrounding the deaths required a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.
The government said it remained committed to establishing the circumstances surrounding the deaths and protecting the lives, dignity and fundamental rights of Nigerians.
