At least three people have been killed and several others injured following a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna on Tuesday night, September 29, 2026.
The injured victims are receiving treatment at the Minna General Hospital, according to a report by Daily Trust.
The incident reportedly occurred after youths linked to a planned protest over the deaths of 37 artisanal miners were invited to the Government House, where they were allegedly asked to shelve the planned demonstration.
Among those reported killed were a woman identified as Dije and her daughter, Hurairat, both internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that Hurairat had been living in Minna after her husband, Abubakar, a butcher, was reportedly killed by bandits along the Allawa-Pandogari Road in 2023. The Allawa community was subsequently deserted by residents.
Dije, who was also staying as an IDP in Gurmana, had reportedly visited her daughter in Minna when they heard that money was to be distributed at the Government House. They subsequently went to the premises.
A fellow IDP, Mallam Musa Allawa, told Daily Trust that Dije and Hurairat were scheduled to be buried at 10am on Wednesday.
According to the report, some government appointees had earlier posted on social media that youths gathered at the Government House to show solidarity with Governor Umaru Bago. Other residents, including women, reportedly joined the gathering after hearing that ₦10,000 would be distributed to people present.
The circumstances surrounding the stampede, including the exact number of people injured, have not been independently confirmed by authorities.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, told Daily Trust that the state government would issue a statement on the incident.
The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also said he would verify the report and provide further information.
The stampede comes amid ongoing public concern over the deaths of 37 artisanal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). A Federal Government investigative committee has commenced work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Authorities are expected to provide further details on the stampede, including the circumstances that led to the deaths and the number of injured victims, as investigations continue.
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