Nigerian forces fire at protesters rallying over deaths of detained miners

Government has promised to fully investigate after 37 miners died while being held in police custody in Niger state.Published On 18 Sep 202618 Sep 2026Security forces in Nigeria have opened fire and deployed tear gas during protests over the deaths in detention of 37 miners.Demonstrators rallied in their hundreds in the mineral-rich city of Minna in Niger State during a second day of protests on Friday, with some attacking government facilities.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3When does a family meal become a luxury in Nigeria?list 2 of 3Nigeria suspends official visits to South Africa over anti-migrant violencelist 3 of 3Nigerian police probe death in custody of 37 illegal mining suspectsend of listIt was not immediately clear whether troops fired live ammunition or anti-riot pellets, but a witness told the Reuters news agency that bullets had been used and the body of one person lay on the ground.Officials announced on Thursday that the 37 miners had died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), a paramilitary agency. The miners were arrested earlier this week during raids in the Wushishi-Lukoto area, west of Minna, on suspicion o...