NIGER State Governor, Umar Bago, has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state, following protests and destruction of property over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday, September 17.
The suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the Borgu, Wushishi/Lukoto axis of the state on September 15 and 16.
Bago, who on Thursday confirmed that 37 suspected illegal miners died while in the NSCDC custody in Minna, described the deaths as “sad” and “tragic,” saying the state government had constituted a committee of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, in collaboration with those set up by the NSCDC, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He said the cause of the deaths had not been officially established and it was too early to draw conclusions, noting that possible causes being investigated included suffocation arising from overcrowding in the detention cell and exposure to hazardous chemicals associated with illegal mining.
According to him: “It could be as a result of suffocation because there were so many in a cell. The second issue could be because of exposure to maybe lead poisoning or other very hazardous chemicals that are used to do the illegal mining.”
Bago said forensic examinations, medical examinations and autopsies were being conducted to establish the scientific cause of the deaths.
The governor said reports that some of the deceased had peeling skin and were foaming from the mouth with blood were among the issues being examined by investigators, but cautioned against concluding until the forensic and medical investigations are completed.
He announced the closure of the illegal mining site in the Wushishi area, saying mining activities there had been conducted without appropriate technology and safety equipment.
He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and appealled for calm following the movement of the bodies to the mortuary, which he said triggered emotional reactions and violence among some youths.
“We are calling on all the youths to please stay away from violence. It’s not going to bring back those that have died. It would cost us a lot at the end of the day,” he said.
However, his appeal could not assuage residents and protesters, who trooped out to express their discontent, calling for justice on Friday morning, September 18.
Following the degeneration of the protest into violence and destruction of property, especially government-owned, Bago announced the curfew during at a press conference, with immediately effect after the Friday congregational prayers.
The governor explained that the decision became necessary to restore calm after protesters allegedly vandalised government property, a bank, political party offices and private businesses.
He stated: “Immediately after the Friday mosque, we are putting a 24-hour curfew here.
“The state transport company, all the buses we have there have been vandalised. Sterling Bank, hit. Party offices destroyed, people’s businesses destroyed.”
Bago lamented that vandals had hijacked the protest and were taking over the streets, making it necessary for government to impose restrictions to prevent further destruction, adding: “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, again, appealled to residents to remain calm and exercise restraint as the authorities work to restore order, adding: “We call on Nigerlites, please, to exercise restraint and be patient.”
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has suspended the state NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and ordered a full investigation into the incident.
His Information and National Orientation counterpart, Mohammed Idris, assured that there would be no attempt to shield anyone found culpable, cautioning against prejudging the outcome of the investigation.
