Nigerian police use tear gas during protests over the deaths in custody of 37 miners

Nigeria's central city of Minna imposed a curfew after security forces opened fire on protesters mourning the deaths of 37 detainees in the custody of the paramilitary Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The victims, many of whom were children, were found dead in the cells of the NSCDC, which had raided suspected illegal gold mines and detained dozens of miners in the city.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered an investigation, but anger over the incident led to clashes between authorities and protesters overnight and into Friday.

Security forces restored order to the streets of Minna as the curfew was about to begin at 6 p.m. (1700 GMT). Live rounds were fired earlier as protesters, some armed with sticks, machetes, and traditional hunting rifles, called for justice. A Reuters witness saw one body on the ground. Protester Yusuf Auwal told Reuters, "We are not thieves. We are simply seeking a way to make a living by mining."

Niger State Governor Umar Bago revealed that many of the dead were children, aged 14 to 18, who had been working in the mines instead of attending school. "There are issues of illegal mining, and it is taking a toll on our children," he said.

The NSCDC initially claimed a suspected disease outbreak might have caused the deaths, but later stated that the cause of death had not been determined and would be established through medical examinations. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo suspended the NSCDC commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, pending a full investigation.

The victims were buried on Thursday in accordance with Islamic tradition, raising questions about whether further forensic examinations would be conducted to determine the cause of death. Shafa atu Suleiman, the mother of one detainee, expressed her outrage, stating, "We will not forgive them." NSCDC officials did not respond to requests for comment on her accusations.

Nigeria has long struggled to curb unauthorized mining at thousands of informal sites across the country, arguing that illegal mining damages the environment and results in revenue losses for the government.