NIGER State Governor, Umaru Bago, has declared a 24-hour curfew across Minna, the state capital, following unrest reported in parts of the city over the reported deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
News Point Nigeria reports that the curfew takes effect immediately after the Friday Jumu’ah prayers and will remain in force until further notice.
Residents have been directed to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary movements during the period of the curfew.
Security agencies have also been urged to enforce the directive and ensure the protection of lives and property across the metropolis.
The development follows fresh Friday protests and unrest linked to the deaths of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the NSCDC in Minna.
Protesters have taken to the streets in parts of Minna, the Niger State capital, following the reported deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners while in the custody of the NSCDC, Niger State Command.
The protest was reported in areas including Tunga, Maitumbi and Bosso Road, where some protesters allegedly destroyed campaign posters and damaged some government property.
The development has heightened tension in the state capital, with residents expressing concerns over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees.
Security agencies have since been deployed across Minna to monitor the situation and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Security personnel are currently patrolling parts of the state capital as authorities intensify efforts to contain the situation and restore calm.
Residents are advised to remain calm, stay indoors and comply with official directives from the security agencies.
The Niger State Government has constituted a committee of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while the NSCDC Commandant-General has suspended the Niger State Commandant pending further investigation.
The incident has continued to generate reactions across the state, with authorities appealing for calm as investigations into the deaths get underway.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the suspected illegal miners in the custody of the NSCDC 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 to step aside with immediate effect 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 to be accompanied by the Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation, who had also been directed to report to the panel.
Audi also ordered a new 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 and that personnel found to have breached the law or established professional standards would face appropriate sanctions.
Further updates are expected from the Niger State Government as the situation develops.