Nigeria imposes curfew after deaths of 37 miners — Jerusalem Post
The city of Minna in central Nigeria imposed a nighttime curfew following protests over the deaths of 37 people who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). As The Jerusalem Post reports, hundreds of people took to the streets on Friday, demanding justice for the dead.
The NSCDC said the detainees had been held following raids on mines suspected of illegal gold mining. The operations were carried out on September 15–16 in the Wushishi–Lukoto area west of Minna, the capital of Niger State. The detainees were found dead on Thursday in the corps' cells. State Governor Umar Bago said many of those killed were children aged 14 to 18 who worked in the mines instead of attending school.
Clashes during protests
Before the curfew began at 6 p.m., security forces restored order on the city's streets. Earlier, they opened fire with live ammunition when protesters, some of whom carried sticks, machetes and traditional hunting rifles, demanded justice. A Reuters witness saw a person's body in the street. Some protesters also tried to set government buildings on fire in the Tunga district.
Miner Yusuf Auwal, who joined the protests, told Reuters that the protesters do not consider themselves thieves and are trying to earn a living through mineral extraction.
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Investigation and official's suspension
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered an investigation into the deaths of the detainees. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo ordered the immediate suspension of Niger State NSCDC commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniye pending the completion of a full investigation.
The NSCDC initially suggested that a disease outbreak might have been involved in the deaths. Later, the corps said the cause of death had not yet been established and must be determined through medical examinations. The bodies of the deceased were buried late on Thursday evening in accordance with Islamic tradition.
The mother of one of the detainees, Shafaatu Suleiman, told Reuters that she saw her son Abdullahi in a cramped NSCDC cell and later learned of his death. She also claims that relatives were not allowed to bring food to detainees and were asked for 100,000 naira for their release. NSCDC representatives did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment on these allegations.
