PHOTO: Relatives of men arrested on suspicion of illegal mining outside a hospital in Minna, September 17, 2026 [Muhammed Nura/AP]
By Dennis Okechukwu
Security forces in Niger State have fired tear gas and reportedly opened fire during protests in Minna over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of the state capital on Friday, the second consecutive day of demonstrations, with some protesters attacking government facilities.
It was not immediately established whether security personnel used live ammunition or anti-riot pellets. However, a witness cited by Reuters said bullets were fired and that the body of one person was seen lying on the ground.
The protests followed the deaths of 37 miners arrested earlier in the week during raids in the Wushishi-Lukoto area, west of Minna, over alleged illegal mining activities.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago imposed a 24-hour curfew on Friday as authorities moved to contain the unrest. The state government also promised a full investigation into the deaths.
According to reports, protesters targeted several government facilities in Minna, including a transport agency where buses and other vehicles were damaged.
The NSCDC initially suggested that the deaths could have resulted from a disease outbreak but later said the cause of death had not been established. The agency said further investigations, including medical examinations, would be conducted.
The deaths have raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the miners’ detention, particularly because the bodies were buried on Thursday evening, potentially complicating efforts to conduct post-mortem examinations.
An intelligence report seen by AFP suggested that poor ventilation and overcrowding in the detention cells could have contributed to the deaths. Some protesters and survivors also said the detainees had struggled to breathe inside the facility.
One survivor, Dauda Shehu, said detainees were packed into a poorly ventilated cell and repeatedly appealed for assistance when they began experiencing difficulty breathing.
Following the incident, the NSCDC commandant in Niger State, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, was suspended by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo pending the outcome of an investigation.
The Federal Ministry of Interior described the incident as unfortunate and said a full investigation would be conducted.
Niger State is rich in mineral resources, including gold and uranium, while illegal mining remains widespread in parts of Nigeria. Authorities have repeatedly linked illegal mining to security challenges and competition over control of valuable mineral resources.Suggested headlines: