As normalcy gradually returns to Minna, the Niger State capital, after the violent protests that greeted the death of 37 miners in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday, residents are counting their losses following the destruction of properties by the rampaging youths.
Minna and its suburbs were engulfed in coordinated violent protests by youths after news of the death of the artisanal miners spread to town like wildfire.
Although shops, markets, banks, filling stations and other businesses were hurriedly shut down, the youths who were in their hundreds and scattered across the town caused some damages to both government and private properties.
For instance, the state owned transport authority (NSTA) had no fewer than six of its vehicles damaged. Also affected are vehicles of other state-owned transport companies, who also used the facilities of the Niger State Transport Authority.
A casual staff of the transport authority, Mallam Abdullahi, told Sunday Sun: “You can see, six of the state-owned vehicles were destroyed with their windscreens shattered. They also destroyed four vehicles belonging to other states’ transport companies.
“They came as early as 7:00am in their numbers and with all kinds of dangerous weapons. The passengers in the park, including us, the staff had to run for our lives.
“From here, they moved towards the banks (names withheld) but they were overpowered by the security people in the banks. Our operation was suspended yesterday as the vehicles were seriously vandalised.”
However, the transport authority was not the only place attacked by the irate youths. The All Progressive Congress (APC) campaign office along the popular Bosso road in Minna was not speared by the youths. All the windows in the building were shattered, including some campaign vehicles parked in the premises.
Although nobody was ready to speak to the Sunday Sun reporter who visited the damaged party office, the impact of the invasion by the youths was very visible. All the campaign vehicles had their windscreens shattered.
Also some individuals who ran into the protesters had bitter stories to tell as they had their car windscreens damaged.
Augustine Chukwu, a businessman who was heading to his shop located around Tunga area of Minna after dropping his children in school ran into the protesters and had his windscreen damaged.
Augustine told our correspondent that he was not aware of the protests, but suddenly came face to face with them and had to abandon his car and run to safety.
“Initially when I saw them, I thought it was the usual street fight between groups but I discovered that they were all moving towards one direction, and facing me.
“I didn’t know what to do so I quickly came down from the car and ran into a nearby house for safety but they succeeded in vandalising my car. They smashed both the front and the back windscreens.
According to him, he has taken his car for repair because he knows nobody will compensate him for the damage, adding, “I thank God that I was not harmed.”
Although Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago announced a 12-hour curfew (6:00pm – 6:00am) when the protests escalated and became violent, substantial damages had already been done.
The curfew was followed by heavy deployment of both military and police personnel who took over control over parts of the state capital and patrolled its nooks and crannies.
Meanwhile, a new commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), Abdulhamid Salisu Kabara, has been redeployed to the state.
The newly redeployed State Commandant is to take over the leadership of the Command from Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, who has been placed on suspension.
A statement from the Command Public Relation Officer, DSC Abubakar M.R. Muti said the new commandant has since resumed office.
The statement read in part: “The assumption of office comes at a particularly sensitive period for the Command, following the unfortunate deaths of some persons arrested in connection with suspected illegal mining activities in the State.”
The statement further said the new Commandant had expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and extended his heartfelt sympathy to the families of the deceased and everyone affected by the unfortunate incident.
He also emphasised that the responsibility of protecting society and enforcing the law must go hand in hand with the responsibility to uphold the dignity, safety and welfare of persons in custody.
In another development, former Military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd) has denied ownership of the mining site where the deceased miners were arrested before their unfortunate death in NSCDC custody.
General Babangida in a statement by his media department and signed by Dr. Danladi Umar Abdulhameed and available to newsmen in Minna yesterday, described the allegation as false, baseless and completely without foundation.
General Babangida said the clarification became necessary following reports and online publications, alleging that the mining site where illegal miners were arrested belonged to him.
The statement read in part: “It is particularly troubling that the author admitted in the same publication that the allegation was unverifiable, yet proceeded to publish it. An allegation that cannot be verified should not be published as though it were an established fact.
“I categorically reject the publication and demand that the false impression created by it be corrected. General Babangida has no connection whatsoever with the mining operation in question.
“I urge members of the public to disregard the report and the unfounded allegation contained in it.”
Credit: The Sun