Seven Killed as Bandits Attack Illegal Mining Site in Kaduna

At least seven people have been killed after armed bandits attacked an illegal mining site in Kuyello, located in the eastern part of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, bordering Zamfara and Katsina states.

Residents said the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday.

According to a community leader, Umar Maishanu, the violence began after one of the bandits reportedly arrived from Zamfara to demand a monetary levy from the illegal miners. The bandit was allegedly killed and buried in a shallow grave by the miners.

“When his group got the news, they invaded Kuyello in retaliation, killing seven people, including some of the miners,” Maishanu told Channels Television.

Although the police authorities have yet to issue an official statement, a reliable security source confirmed that a joint security team has been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks. The source also disclosed that some of the fleeing bandits who came from Zamfara were later arrested.

The incident has reignited concerns over the security situation in Birnin Gwari, which had enjoyed relative peace in recent months following the non-kinetic peace model introduced by the Kaduna State Government. The initiative had led to the reopening of schools, roads, markets, and healthcare facilities previously shut down due to insecurity.

However, residents are now calling on the government to ban all forms of illegal mining in the area, warning that such activities continue to attract criminal elements and threaten the fragile peace in the region.

Threat to Regional Peace

The tragedy comes amid renewed national concern over the dangers of illegal mining.
Earlier this week, President Bola Tinubu warned that illegal mining and resource theft pose a grave threat to regional peace and development across West Africa.

The President urged regional leaders to classify resource theft, mineral smuggling, and illegal mining as international crimes, stressing that the plundering of natural resources has undermined the region’s economic and political stability.

“I believe the time has come for us to designate resource theft and mineral smuggling as international crimes that threaten regional stability,” Tinubu said.