The Niger State Government announced that it has cancelled a scheduled All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Minna that was to take place on Saturday. The decision follows the death of about 37 people who were being held by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with illegal mining activities.
According to the government, the fatalities occurred while the suspects were detained by the NSCDC. In response, the state has suspended the NSCDC commandant responsible for the operation that led to the deaths.
The APC, Nigeria’s ruling party, had planned a rally in the state capital to rally support ahead of upcoming elections. The cancellation was made public by the state authorities as a sign of concern over the incident and to avoid further unrest.
Details of the circumstances surrounding the deaths have not yet been released. The NSCDC has been criticised in the past for its handling of illegal mining operations, which are a major source of revenue for local communities but often involve unsafe working conditions.
Minna, the capital of Niger State in the north‑central part of Nigeria, has seen a number of protests and security incidents in recent months. The government’s move to suspend the NSCDC commandant is part of a broader effort to address public grievances and maintain order in the region.
<small>Source: Premium Times Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
