Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state 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 curfew on Friday, saying it would take effect immediately after the Friday congregational prayers, as authorities moved to contain unrest that had resulted in the vandalization of government property, a bank, political party offices and private businesses.
“Immediately after the Friday mosque, we are putting a 24-hour curfew here,” Bago said during a press conference.
“The State Transport Company, all the buses we have there have been vandalized. Sterling Bank, hit. Party offices destroyed, people’s businesses destroyed,” he added.
The governor said the unrest had allowed vandals to take over parts of the streets, making it necessary to restrict movement to prevent further destruction and restore calm.
“Vandals are taking over the street, and there’s need for us to, you know, curtail this thing so that we can have calm in the society,” he said.
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Bago appealed to residents to remain calm and exercise restraint while authorities work to restore order. “So, we call on Nigerlites, please, to exercise restraint and be patient,” he said.
The protests followed the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were detained by the NSCDC after enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of the state on September 15 and 16.
Bago had earlier confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died while in NSCDC custody. He said forensic and medical examinations, as well as autopsies, were being conducted to determine the cause of the deaths.
The NSCDC has constituted an investigative team to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, their period in custody, the conditions under which they were detained and the medical attention they received.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation into the incident.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said no one found culpable would be shielded, while cautioning against prejudging the outcome of the investigation.
Former Vice President and 2027 African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has also called for accountability over the deaths, saying anyone found responsible through “action, abuse or negligence” should be held accountable.
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