Nigeria security forces fire at protesters over deaths of 37 detained miners

Security forces in Nigeria fired shots and used tear gas to disperse protesters in Minna, Niger State, as anger grew over the deaths of 37 miners who died while in government custody. Hundreds of people took part in a second day of demonstrations on Friday, with some protesters attacking government facilities. Witnesses said security forces opened fire, although it was not immediately clear whether live ammunition or anti-riot pellets were used. The 37 miners had been arrested earlier in the week during raids in the Wushishi-Lukoto area on suspicion of illegal mining. Authorities initially s

Security forces in Nigeria fired shots and used tear gas to disperse protesters in Minna, Niger State, as anger grew over the deaths of 37 miners who died while in government custody. Hundreds of people took part in a second day of demonstrations on Friday, with some protesters attacking government facilities. Witnesses said security forces opened fire, although it was not immediately clear whether live ammunition or anti-riot pellets were used. The 37 miners had been arrested earlier in the week during raids in the Wushishi-Lukoto area on suspicion of illegal mining. Authorities initially suggested that a disease outbreak could have caused the deaths, but later said the exact cause remained unconfirmed and that further medical investigations would be carried out. Some survivors and protesters have alleged that overcrowding and poor ventilation inside the detention facility may have contributed to the deaths. One survivor said detainees struggled to breathe and repeatedly called for help before the situation became critical. Niger State authorities imposed a 24-hour curfew following the unrest, while Nigeria’s Interior Ministry suspended the state NSCDC commandant pending a full investigation. The government has promised to establish what happened to the miners while concerns remain over whether the circumstances surrounding their deaths can now be fully examined, as the bodies were reportedly buried shortly after the incident.