Nigeria: Minna placed under curfew after violence linked to 37 deaths

The governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, imposed a 24-hour curfew in Minna, the state capital, on Friday, September 18, following violence triggered by the deaths of 37 individuals detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The curfew took effect after Friday prayers and will remain in place until further notice.

Protests erupted after the announcement of the deaths in custody. Clashes occurred between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in damage to public and private property. According to Reuters, protesters attempted to target public buildings, while the Associated Press reported that police used tear gas to disperse gatherings.

The curfew was announced just hours after the suspension of the NSCDC commander in Niger State, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye. President Bola Tinubu has simultaneously ordered a thorough and transparent investigation into the arrests, detention conditions, medical assistance provided, and the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The victims were among those apprehended during operations against illegal mining around Minna on September 15 and 16. The NSCDC initially suggested a possible illness as the cause, but the exact reason for the deaths remains unconfirmed. Survivors quoted by the Associated Press described an overcrowded and poorly ventilated cell, a claim that will need to be corroborated by medical examinations and investigators’ findings.

The state government has established a commission of inquiry and announced plans for forensic examinations and autopsies. Mohammed Umaru Bago has also declared three days of mourning and canceled a political rally scheduled for Saturday in the city.

In its statement, the Nigerian presidency called for any potential accountability to be determined based on evidence. Bola Tinubu indicated that any officials whose actions, abuses, or negligence may have contributed to the deaths should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.