The Niger State Government has announced that the 24-hour curfew imposed in the aftermath of unrest over the deaths of 37 detained artisanal miners will be relaxed from Monday, 21st September, 2026.
This was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, in a statement issued on Sunday, in which he said Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago gave the directive shortly after taking part in three days of special prayers held in honour of the deceased miners, who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The curfew had been imposed by the governor on Friday following protests and the destruction of property linked to the miners’ deaths.
Announcing the restriction shortly after Friday congregational prayers, Bago explained that it was necessary to restore order after demonstrators vandalised government property, a commercial bank, political party offices and private businesses across the state.
He noted that vehicles belonging to the State Transport Company were destroyed, alongside the premises of Sterling Bank, several party secretariats and various private enterprises, adding that the unrest had allowed vandals to take control of the streets and that firm measures were required to restore calm to the society.
In the latest statement, Ibrahim said Governor Bago urged residents of Niger State to remain law-abiding and act as responsible citizens, assuring them that the administration would continue working to improve their welfare.
The unrest followed the deaths of the suspected illegal miners, who were arrested during an enforcement operation against illegal mining in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of the state on 15th and 16th September.
The state government had earlier confirmed the deaths and stated that forensic and medical examinations, including autopsies, were underway to determine their cause.
The NSCDC has since set up an investigative panel to look into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, covering the condition of the suspects at the point of arrest, the length of their detention, the conditions under which they were held and the medical attention made available to them.
Separately, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, suspended the state’s NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, 20 others and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
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