Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew across Minna, the state capital, following unrest reported in parts of the city.
The curfew takes effect immediately after Friday’s Jumu’ah prayers and will remain in force until further notice.
Residents have been directed to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement throughout the period, while security agencies have been instructed to enforce the directive and protect lives and property across the metropolis.
The development follows Thursday’s protest and unrest linked to the deaths of suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.
The state government urged residents to remain calm, stay indoors and comply with directives issued by security agencies.
Interior Minister Orders Probe
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State.
The minister also directed the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to conduct a “full-scale, transparent and unhindered investigation” into the incident.
Following the directive, Audi ordered the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, to step aside immediately and report to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja to appear before the panel constituted to investigate the incident.
The commandant was directed to be accompanied by the Heads of Operations, Mining, Legal, Intelligence and Investigation, who were also asked to report to the panel.
Audi further directed 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, adding that personnel found to have violated the law or breached established professional standards would face appropriate sanctions.
The Niger State Government is expected to provide further updates as the situation develops.
