Gov Bago orders immediate curfew in Minna as tension mounts over miners’ deaths

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna, the state capital, following unrest reported in parts of the city.

The curfew takes effect immediately after Friday’s Jumu’ah prayers and will remain in force until further notice.

In a directive issued amid the heightened tension, residents of Minna were ordered to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement throughout the period of the curfew.

Security agencies were also directed to enforce the order and ensure the protection of lives and property across the metropolis.

The development followed protests and unrest reported on Thursday in connection with the deaths of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Residents were urged to remain calm, stay indoors and comply with directives issued by security agencies as the authorities work to restore normalcy.

The state government is expected to provide further updates as the situation develops.

Interior Minister Orders Investigation

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State.

The minister also directed the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to conduct a “full-scale, transparent and unhindered investigation” into the incident.

Following the directive, Audi ordered the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, to step aside immediately and report to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja to appear before the panel of inquiry constituted to investigate the incident.

The state commandant was directed to report alongside the Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation, who were also asked to appear before the panel.

Audi further ordered another commandant to proceed to Niger State and assume immediate command of the state command.

In a statement signed by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, the corps said the investigation would be conducted thoroughly.

The NSCDC said personnel found to have breached the law or violated established professional standards would face appropriate sanctions.

FG Condoles Families of Deceased

The Federal Government has also expressed condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the deaths of persons arrested during enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the Federal Government’s condolences to Governor Bago, traditional leaders and residents of Wushishi, as well as the families and loved ones of those who died.

Idris said the Federal Government regarded the protection of the lives, dignity and fundamental rights of Nigerians as a solemn responsibility.

He stressed that the circumstances surrounding the deaths required a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.

The minister assured the bereaved families and people of Niger State that the Federal Government shared in their grief and remained committed to establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The curfew and the separate investigations by the relevant authorities come as the state seeks to contain the unrest and establish what led to the deaths of the suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody.o