Curfew imposed in Nigerian city after protests over deaths of detained miners

A 24-hour curfew is currently in place in central Nigeria after overnight protests and the passing of dozens of detainees held by a paramilitary force. The unrest began with raids on informal gold mining sites in Niger State, leading to emergency measures and administrative suspensions. Security forces detained dozens of suspects without formal charges while processing documentation.

Relatives finding out about their loved ones' deaths expressed grief. Authorities found between 33 and 37 bodies at a hospital in Minna, initially attributing the deaths to a possible disease outbreak. However, intelligence reports and witness testimony suggested suffocation due to lack of ventilation. Protests erupted, with youths attacking public buildings and transport buses, prompting police to deploy tear gas.

The Interior Minister has suspended the state commandant of the paramilitary force pending investigation, and the state governor declared three days of mourning. The incident underscores ongoing disputes over illegal mining, which authorities claim harms the environment and undermines government revenue, while experts warn that gold from these operations often ends up in international trafficking.