The All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat along Bosso Road in Minna, Niger State, has reportedly been vandalised as protests over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) spread across the state capital.
Youths protesting the deaths were said to have stormed the Chanchaga APC Secretariat on Friday, damaging parts of the building and forcing occupants to flee.
The incident is part of an outbreak of violence in Minna following the discovery of the bodies of 37 detainees who had been arrested during operations against suspected illegal mining in the state.
The suspects were arrested around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on September 15 and 16 before some of them were found dead at an NSCDC detention facility in Minna on Thursday.
The NSCDC initially said the deaths followed a suspected disease outbreak but stressed that the actual cause had not been established. The bodies were subsequently taken to the General Hospital in Minna for medical examination.
The deaths have led to anger among relatives, residents and youths who have demanded answers from the authorities. Protests have been reported in several parts of Minna, including Tunga, Maitumbi and Bosso Road, with some government and private properties also damaged.
The APC secretariat became one of the political properties reportedly affected.
Meanwhile, the development comes only days before an APC political rally that had been scheduled to hold in Minna.
The Niger State Government has since cancelled the rally and declared three days of mourning for the victims. The cancellation was announced amid the growing tension over the deaths and the destruction recorded in parts of the state capital.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, while addressing journalists on Friday, confirmed that the unrest had spread to political party offices, businesses and government facilities.
“Immediately after the Friday mosque, we are putting a 24-hour curfew here,” Bago said.
“The State Transport Company, all the buses we have there have been vandalised. Sterling Bank, hit. Party offices destroyed, people’s businesses destroyed,” he added.
The governor said the authorities had to intervene because protesters and vandals were taking over parts of the streets.
“Vandals are taking over the street, and there’s need for us to, you know, curtail this thing so that we can have calm in the society,” he said.
Bago appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid actions that could further worsen the situation.
“So, we call on Nigerlites, please, to exercise restraint and be patient,” the governor said.
The 24-hour curfew was announced to take effect immediately after Friday prayers, with residents directed to remain indoors and security agencies ordered to enforce the restriction.
The Niger State Government has constituted a committee of inquiry, while the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, to step aside and report to the investigative panel.
Additionally, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, ordered a full investigation into the incident.
President Bola Tinubu has also ordered a full and transparent investigation, saying no Nigerian should lose his life in government custody because of negligence, abuse, inhumane treatment or dereliction of duty.