Niger State Governor Bago Enforces Curfew Amid Protests

On September 18, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago announced a 24-hour curfew in Minna, effective immediately after Friday prayers. This decision followed escalating protests and vandalism triggered by the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who were in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The miners were arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining on September 15 and 16. Governor Bago, after meeting with Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated that the curfew was necessary to restore order as public and private properties had been attacked, including vandalism of state transport company buses.

He urged residents to remain calm and allow authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the detainees' deaths, which were confirmed by the NSCDC to have occurred in the early hours of September 17.