Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Niger State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Minna, the state capital, following protests and unrest over the deaths of 37 people suspected of illegal mining who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced the curfew on Friday, September 18, 2026, as authorities moved to contain unrest involving protests, vandalism and destruction of property linked to the deaths. The curfew takes effect after Friday’s Jumu’ah prayers and will remain in force until further notice.
Protests Follow Deaths in NSCDC Custody
The unrest followed the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who had been detained after enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in Niger State.
The NSCDC Niger State Command previously confirmed that suspected illegal miners had been arrested during operations conducted on September 15 and 16 around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas.
The corps said some of those detained were found dead in the early hours of September 17. The state command initially referred to a suspected disease outbreak, while stating that the bodies had been deposited at the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination to establish the actual cause of death.
Governor Bago subsequently confirmed that 37 people had died while in NSCDC custody and described the incident as tragic. He announced an investigation and ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to determine what caused the deaths.
The exact cause of death has not yet been conclusively established.
The NSCDC national headquarters has also cautioned against attributing the deaths to a specific disease before medical and laboratory examinations are completed.
Unrest and Security Response
The deaths triggered protests in Minna, with demonstrators expressing anger over the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
Channels Television reported that the subsequent unrest was linked to the deaths of the suspected miners in NSCDC custody, while residents were urged to remain calm, stay indoors and comply with directives from security agencies.
Reuters reported that security forces used live ammunition during Friday’s protests, while other reports said police had deployed tear gas during earlier demonstrations. Reuters also reported attempts by protesters to set fire to government buildings amid clashes with authorities.
The developments prompted the state government to introduce the curfew as authorities sought to prevent further escalation and restore public order.
Investigation Into the 37 Deaths
Several investigations are now underway into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Niger State Government has constituted a committee of inquiry chaired by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, with Commissioner for Homeland Security Maurice Magaji serving as secretary.
The government has also ordered forensic examinations and autopsies to establish the scientific cause of death. Separate investigative processes involving security agencies have also been reported.
The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, and members of his team have been suspended to allow the investigation to proceed.
The police have separately opened an investigation into the deaths, according to Premium Times.
Conflicting Accounts Over Cause of Death
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation, with different accounts emerging.
The NSCDC initially referred to a suspected disease outbreak. However, reporting by the Associated Press cited a surviving detainee who alleged that detainees had been held in an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell and suggested that some may have suffocated.
Those allegations have not been established as the official cause of death. Medical examinations and autopsies are expected to provide further evidence.
Reuters also reported concerns about the speed with which some of the victims were buried under Islamic traditions and the potential implications for forensic examinations.
The distinction is important because the investigation is still ongoing, and the available accounts do not yet provide a definitive explanation for all 37 deaths.
Government Measures
Beyond the curfew and investigation, the Niger State Government has taken additional measures following the incident.
Governor Bago declared three days of mourning for the victims and cancelled an All Progressives Congress political rally scheduled to take place in Minna on Saturday, September 19.
The governor also ordered the closure of illegal mining activities around the M.I. Wushishi mining site and said experts from Abuja would be invited to examine and analyse the area.
The state government has also begun compiling a register of the victims’ families and said it would engage with them during the investigation.
Amnesty Calls for Independent Investigation
Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the deaths, saying authorities should establish the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the conditions in which the detainees were held.
The organisation also called for justice for the victims and their families and urged that anyone found responsible should face legal consequences.
The call adds to growing pressure for the investigations to establish not only the medical cause of death but also the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention conditions and events leading to the fatalities.
Why the Incident Matters
The deaths have raised questions about the treatment of people detained during enforcement operations against illegal mining and the responsibilities of security agencies when suspects are held in custody.
Illegal mining remains a significant challenge in parts of Nigeria, including mineral-rich areas where artisanal and small-scale mining provides livelihoods but can also operate outside regulatory requirements.
The incident therefore has implications beyond the immediate unrest in Minna. The outcome of the investigations could influence public confidence in security institutions, the enforcement of mining regulations and the government’s approach to illegal mining activities.
For the families of the deceased, establishing how the 37 people died and determining whether any individuals or institutions were responsible will be central to the investigation.
What Happens Next
The immediate priority is the enforcement of the 24-hour curfew and restoration of calm in Minna.
At the same time, medical examinations, autopsies and investigations by the state government, police and security agencies are expected to establish the circumstances and cause of the deaths.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could further disrupt public order.
The final findings of the investigations are expected to determine whether any officials or other individuals should face disciplinary or legal action.
Until those findings are released, claims about the precise cause of the deaths should be treated as unconfirmed.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Channels Television
- Reuters
- Associated Press (AP)
- Premium Times
- Al Jazeera
- Vanguard
- Radio Nigeria
- Agence France-Presse (AFP)
- Anadolu Agency
- Niger State Government/Office of the Governor
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
