Stray bullet hits vendor as police disperse protest on Miner’s death

A roadside engine oil vendor, Ibrahim Mohammed Dada, has been admitted to the Minna General Hospital after being hit by a stray bullet at the popular Tunga Market, Minna, Niger State. Security operatives reportedly fired the shot while attempting to disperse crowds protesting the deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). It was reported that 37 of the 65 suspected artisanal miners arrested on September 15 and 16 by the NSCDC died in custody on Thursday. The protest, which began Thursday, continued on Friday as security operatives fired gunshots and teargas to disperse the demonstrators. When visited the Minna General Hospital, Ibrahim was in critical condition. His elder brother, Yakubu Dada Mohammed, said that Ibrahim was not part of the demonstration. “Ibrahim was not participating in the riot or protest. He was standing in front of his kiosk where he sells engine oil when one of the police officers fired a gun in his direction and a bullet penetrated his head and destroyed his entire face,” he said. Mohammed demanded justice for his younger brother. When contacted, the Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, called for calm and stated that the matter would be investigated.