Breaking: Protest erupts, Niger government imposes 24-hour curfew over miners’ deaths

Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Minna, the state capital, following protests and destruction of property linked to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Bago announced the measure on Friday, September 18, 2026 following the escalation of protests in parts of the state capital, with residents and relatives of the deceased demanding answers over the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The curfew took effect immediately after the Friday congregational prayers, with residents directed to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movements.

The governor said the decision became necessary after protesters allegedly vandalised government facilities, a bank, political party offices and private businesses during the unrest. Blueprint reports

“Immediately after the Friday mosque, we are putting a 24-hour curfew here,” Bago said, adding that the State Transport Company, buses, Sterling Bank, party offices and private businesses had been affected by the violence.

He said the situation had reached a point where vandals were taking over the streets, stressing the need for the government to restore calm and protect lives and property.

Bago appealed to residents of the state to exercise restraint and remain patient while authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and restore normalcy.

Protests spread across Minna

The protests followed the discovery that dozens of suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations had died while in NSCDC custody.

Reports indicated that demonstrations occurred in areas including Tunga, Maitumbi and Bosso Road, with some protesters allegedly damaging government property and campaign materials.

Security personnel were subsequently deployed to strategic parts of Minna as authorities intensified efforts to prevent further escalation and maintain law and order.

The development has generated anger and anxiety among residents, particularly families and associates of the deceased, amid questions over how 37 people arrested during an anti-illegal-mining operation could die while in detention.

The precise cause of the deaths, however, has not been established.

Governor Bago had earlier confirmed the death of the 37 detainees and said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies were being conducted to establish the scientific cause.

He said possible explanations under investigation included suffocation arising from overcrowding as well as exposure to hazardous substances associated with illegal mining, but cautioned against reaching conclusions before the investigations were completed.

How the incident started

The deceased were among scores of people arrested during NSCDC enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.

The NSCDC Niger State Command had said the operations were part of efforts to rid the state of illegal mining activities and resulted in the arrest of several suspects and recovery of exhibits.

However, the command later confirmed that some of the detained suspects were found dead in the early hours of September 17.

The state command initially described the deaths as following a suspected disease outbreak and said the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.

The NSCDC subsequently stressed that the circumstances surrounding the deaths remained under investigation, with the national headquarters ordering a comprehensive probe.

NSCDC commandant suspended

The Federal Government has suspended the NSCDC Commandant in Niger State, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, directed the NSCDC Commandant-General to conduct a full-scale investigation into the deaths.

The national leadership of the corps also directed Aniviye and other senior personnel involved in operations, mining, intelligence, investigation and legal matters to report to the panel constituted to investigate the incident.

A new commandant was ordered to assume control of the Niger State Command while the investigation proceeds.

The suspension is intended to allow investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention and deaths without interference from officials who were directly responsible for the command during the incident.

Government promises transparent investigation

The Niger State Government has also constituted a committee of inquiry to investigate the deaths.

The committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, while forensic examinations and autopsies are being undertaken to determine the cause of death.

The Federal Government has meanwhile appealed for calm and assured the people of Niger State that the matter would be investigated thoroughly.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government regarded the protection of the lives, dignity and fundamental rights of Nigerians as a serious responsibility.

He urged residents and other interested parties to allow the investigation to proceed and cautioned against prejudging its outcome.

The government has also said that anyone found culpable would not be shielded from accountability.

Questions over detention conditions

While the official cause of death remains pending, questions have emerged over the conditions under which the suspects were detained.

Some reports have raised allegations concerning overcrowding and poor ventilation at the detention facility, while accounts from survivors and relatives have generated additional concerns about the treatment of detainees.

These claims have not been established as the cause of the deaths, and investigators are expected to determine whether detention conditions, illness, exposure to hazardous substances or other factors played any role.

Rights groups have also called for an independent and transparent investigation. Amnesty International, for instance, urged authorities to establish how the detention of the suspects resulted in the deaths and to examine the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.

Illegal mining remains a major concern

The incident has also renewed attention on the wider challenge of illegal mining in Nigeria.

Government authorities have intensified operations against unregulated mining because of concerns over environmental degradation, unsafe mining practices, loss of government revenue and the potential links between illegal mining and criminal networks.

In Niger State, the NSCDC has been conducting operations aimed at shutting down illegal mining activities and arresting individuals suspected of violating mining regulations.

The enforcement campaign, however, now faces heightened public scrutiny following the deaths of the 37 detainees.

For the authorities, the challenge is to balance the enforcement of laws against illegal mining with the obligation to protect the rights and lives of persons taken into custody.

Curfew takes effect as investigation continues

With the 24-hour curfew now in force in Minna, security agencies have been directed to enforce the restriction and protect lives and property across the city.

The state government is also expected to continue engaging with community leaders and residents as efforts intensify to calm the situation.

For the families of the deceased, the immediate concern remains obtaining clear answers about what happened to their loved ones after they were arrested.

For the government and security agencies, the investigation now carries the responsibility of establishing the facts surrounding the deaths and determining whether any individual or institution bears responsibility.

Until the forensic, medical and other investigations are concluded, the actual cause of the deaths remains undetermined.

Authorities have therefore continued to urge residents to remain calm and avoid further violence, stressing that destruction of property and confrontation with security agencies could further complicate efforts to establish the truth behind the incident.