Tension in Minna as Gunshots Ring Out Following Death of Miners

Minna, the capital of Niger State has been thrown into tension after gunshots rang out during a confrontation between residents and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the incident has also triggered unrest in parts of Niger State as relatives and residents demand answers over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees.

The 37 victims were among scores of people arrested during an NSCDC operation targeting suspected illegal mining activities around M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto villages in the Minna area on September 15 and 16.

The NSCDC Niger State Command confirmed that some of the detainees were found dead at its detention facility in the early hours of Thursday.

According to the Corps, the operation led to the arrest of suspected illegal miners and the recovery of various exhibits. It later attributed the deaths to a suspected disease outbreak but stressed that the actual cause had not been conclusively established.

It is understood that the bodies were subsequently deposited at the General Hospital, Minna, for medical examination.

The deaths have, however, sparked anger among relatives and residents, many of whom gathered around the NSCDC headquarters seeking information about their loved ones.

The situation reportedly became tense as protesters confronted NSCDC personnel, with gunshots heard amid the confrontation.

Some relatives have also challenged the claim that everyone arrested was involved in illegal mining. A woman identified as Gloria alleged that her sister was arrested while working on a farm and had only a hoe and a cutlass with her.

There have also been claims that some of those detained were children between nine and 14 years old, while women were reportedly among those arrested. The allegations have not been independently verified, while the NSCDC has maintained that the detainees were suspected illegal miners.

The Niger State Police Command has opened an investigation into the deaths.

Commissioner of Police Adamu Elleman directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna to take over the investigation and establish what happened to the detainees.

“The directive is to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate deaths of these suspects,” the police said.

Elleman also appealed to relatives and members of the public with credible information to assist investigators, while urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding.

The Niger State Government has confirmed the deaths, with Governor Mohammed Bago describing the development as “sad” and “tragic.” The governor said medical and forensic examinations, including autopsies, would be conducted to establish the cause of the deaths.

The Federal Government has also suspended the Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending an investigation into the incident.

The NSCDC national headquarters has ordered a high-powered investigation into the deaths, with attention expected to focus on the circumstances of the arrests, the condition of the detainees, their treatment while in custody and events preceding their deaths.