Niger Labour, CSOs Rejects Planned Protests in Minna Over Miners Tragedy

By YM Bina

​Organized Labour in Niger State, alongside Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and youth coalitions, has issued a joint appeal for calm, strongly advisef residents and external groups against proceeding with planned public demonstrations in Minna following recent security escalations across the state.

​The position was reached during a joint consultative meeting convened to address pressing security concerns, including communal conflicts, kidnapping, rising youth restlessness, and the recent death of 37 artisanal miners.

Labour leaders, Comrade Abdulkareem Idrees lafene noted that while the security situation has severely disrupted socio-economic activities leaving many farmers unable to tend their lands or travel safely, street demonstrations at this juncture could destabilize ongoing interventions and escalate public tension.

​Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Trade Union Congress (TUC) Niger State Chapter Chairman, Comrade Dahiru Garba Kuta, urged citizens to allow both Federal and State investigative panels examining the mining disaster to complete their assignments without disruption.

​The leadership cautioned political actors against leveraging the crisis for political blackmail or unconstitutional maneuvers. Stakeholders emphasized that holding street rallies under current conditions poses significant safety risks and risks diverting attention from peacebuilding efforts.

​Organized Labour, CSOs, and youth groups representatives in their separate remarks made a unified framework for maintaining public order and demanding that government authorities intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property across Niger State.

The emphasized not to participate in any form of protest in Niger State, adding that those allegedly planning to organize protest should desist from such in order to avoid being hijacked by unscrupulous elements who would take advantage to destroy public and private properties of the citizens in the state.