Stray Bullet Wounds Vendor as Police Break Up Minna Protest

A roadside engine oil vendor in Minna, Niger State, has ended up in hospital after reportedly being hit by a stray bullet during unrest over the deaths of suspected miners in custody.

The victim, identified as Ibrahim Mohammed Dada, was reportedly struck at Tunga Market as security operatives moved to disperse protesters.

He has been admitted to Minna General Hospital.Dada’s elder brother, Yakubu Dada Mohammed, said the victim was not participating in the protest.

He alleged that Ibrahim was standing in front of his kiosk when a shot was fired in his direction.

The brother called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and accountability for whoever was responsible.

The incident happened amid protests triggered by the deaths of suspected illegal miners who had been detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

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The protests have increased pressure on authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The Niger State Police Command has appealed for calm and said the shooting incident would be investigated.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the injury adds another layer to an already tense situation in Minna, where a protest over deaths in custody has now produced a fresh allegation of civilian injury during the security response.

The circumstances of the shooting, including who fired the bullet and how the vendor was struck, remain matters for investigation.

For residents caught between protests and security operations, the incident underscores the risks that can arise when crowd control turns violent, ValidViewNetwork reports.