Tension, Outrage Trail Death Of 37 Miners in NSCDC Detention
*Tinubu orders probe, vows punishment for anyone responsible *Babangida, Obi, CSOs condemn deaths, Bago declares 24-hour curfew * NSCDC Niger commandant removed, riot breaks out in Minna *Survivor says chemical
Tension and outrage erupted in Niger State after the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). President Bola Tinubu ordered a full investigation into the tragedy and vowed punishment for those responsible. Five additional alleged illegal miners died in a pit collapse in Taraba State.
The NSCDC Niger commandant was removed, and a 24-hour curfew was declared in Minna to restore law and order. A survivor claimed that officials sprayed chemicals in the detention room, causing difficulty breathing and resulting in the miners' deaths. President Tinubu emphasized the importance of respecting the lives and dignity of every person in custody and vowed accountability for any negligence or abuse.
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