Niger: Three People Die In Minna As Vigilantes Allegedly Kill Suspect 

Three people have died following the alleged killing of a suspect by members of a vigilante group in Kpakungu area of Minna, the Niger State capital.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday night when vigilantes mobilised to the area to arrest some suspected hoodlums.

During the operation, one of the vigilantes allegedly shot a suspect identified as Aliyu, killing him at the scene.

The incident reportedly triggered a protest which later led to the death of two residents.

The development has heightened concerns among residents over a series of deaths recorded in Minna in recent weeks.

The incident came barely three weeks after 37 miners reportedly died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, while three other people died in a stampede at the Government House, Minna, last week.

Confirming the latest incident to LEADERSHIP, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, said a report was received at about 10:30pm on October 3, 2026, that a group of vigilantes had mobilised to Kpakungu to arrest some miscreants.

He said, “In the process, one of the vigilante members shot one Aliyu dead.”

According to him, the incident led to protests in the area, prompting the deployment of police patrol teams to restore normalcy.

He said efforts were ongoing to arrest the vigilante member responsible for the shooting.

Abiodun, however, added that in the early hours of October 4, some of the miscreants mobilised and blocked the Bida-Minna Road in protest.

He said the protesters also moved to the Gbeganu area, where they allegedly attacked residents.

“In the course of the attack, it was reported that two persons lost their lives,” he said.

The PPRO said police tactical teams were subsequently deployed to the area, adding that the rioters were dispersed and the road cleared for the free flow of traffic.

Details later.