Niger State Governor, Umar Mohammed Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state following protests and acts of vandalism triggered by the deaths of suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Meanwhile, a mining pit in Mayo Kam community, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, collapsed on Thursday night, trapping more than 20 people, including women and children who had reportedly gone to work at the site overnight.
The incident caused panic among residents and plunged the community into mourning. A resident, Kenneth Ayila, confirmed the collapse, saying more than 20 miners were feared dead. However, the number of casualties could not be independently confirmed as of press time.
37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in NSCDC Custody in Niger as Investigations Begin
A community leader, Usman Bello, said on Friday morning that most of those believed to have been trapped were indigenes of Mayo Kam. “Only a few people usually come from neighbouring communities to engage in mining here,” he said, adding that residents were “in total shock” over the incident.
The Taraba State Police Command said it had yet to receive an official report on the incident. The command’s spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said the headquarters was awaiting details from the Bali Area Command before providing further information.
The collapse has again drawn attention to the risks associated with poorly regulated mining activities, particularly in areas where miners work in potentially unstable excavations. The incident occurred shortly after the Taraba State Government hosted a roundtable on mineral investment, during which investors reportedly expressed interest in the state’s mineral resources.
in Niger State, Bago announced the restriction on Friday during a press conference, saying the curfew took effect immediately after the Friday congregational prayers as authorities moved to contain the unrest and prevent further destruction of property.
The governor said protesters had vandalised public and private assets in parts of the state, including buses belonging to the State Transport Company, a branch of Sterling Bank, political party offices and private businesses.
“Immediately after the Friday mosque, we are putting a 24-hour curfew here,” Bago said.
He added: “The State Transport Company, all the buses we have there have been vandalised. Sterling Bank, hit. Party offices destroyed, people’s businesses destroyed.”
According to the governor, the scale of the destruction had made immediate intervention necessary.
“Vandals are taking over the street, and there’s need for us to, you know, curtail this thing so that we can have calm in the society,” he said.
Bago appealed to residents to remain calm, exercise restraint and cooperate with security agencies while the government works to restore order.
“So, we call on Nigerlites, please, to exercise restraint and be patient,” he said.
The unrest followed growing public outrage over the deaths of suspected illegal miners arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16.
Bago had earlier disclosed that 37 suspected illegal miners died in custody. However, reports surrounding the incident have varied, with some early accounts putting the number of deaths at more than 30 and subsequent reports suggesting the figure could be around 40. Authorities have yet to establish a final death toll or determine the precise cause of death.
NHRC Condemns Deaths of 37 Suspected Miners in NSCDC Custody, Demands Full Investigation
As public anger intensified, the Federal Government moved to deepen investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on Friday announced the deployment of a high-level team of ministry officials to Niger State to establish what happened to the detainees.
Alake expressed condolences to Bago, the families of the deceased and communities affected by the tragedy, describing the deaths as a matter of profound concern.
“Given the allegation that the detained persons were arrested on suspicion of carrying out illegal mining, I have deployed a high-powered team of officials to Niger State to investigate the circumstances and ascertain the facts of the matter,” he said.
“The team will collaborate with other investigators to provide a comprehensive report on the incident.”
The minister said a transparent and independent inquiry was essential to determine responsibility and prevent similar incidents in detention facilities.
“A thorough, transparent, and independent inquiry is vital to ensure accountability and prevent any recurrence of such distress in our detention and correctional facilities,” Alake said.
The Niger State Government has declared a period of mourning and established a framework to investigate the deaths. The NSCDC has also constituted a high-powered investigative panel to examine the condition of the detainees when they were arrested, the circumstances of their detention and the medical care they received while in custody.
Forensic examinations, medical tests and autopsies are ongoing as authorities seek to establish the cause of the deaths. Officials have so far maintained that the cause has not been conclusively determined.
The investigations by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, NSCDC and other government authorities are expected to complement the broader Federal Government inquiry into the incident.
Meanwhile, the imposition of the curfew marks the state government’s immediate response to the protests, as authorities seek to prevent further violence and protect lives and property while investigations into the deaths continue.
With the circumstances surrounding the detainees’ deaths still under examination, attention is now focused on the findings of the various investigative panels and forensic processes, which are expected to provide a clearer account of what transpired in custody.