By Wole Mosadomi
MINNA—Illegal miners on Thursday launched a deadly attack on a joint security patrol in Niger State, killing an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and setting ablaze an operational Hilux vehicle during an enforcement operation against illegal mining.
The incident occurred at Zuzungi village near Kataeregi in Bosso Local Government Area while the joint team was carrying out a lawful duty to curb illegal mining activities in the state.
The patrol team comprised personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the NSCDC and local security operatives known as Anti-Drugs Control (ADC), working in collaboration with Millennium Metals Mining Company.It was gathered that officials of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, led by the Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Qasim Danjuma, alongside top ministry officials, had earlier visited the area on a sensitisation tour and warned residents and operators to desist from illegal mining.
Acting on credible intelligence that illegal mining activities were still ongoing, the joint security team stormed the area but met stiff resistance from the operators. The situation degenerated into a violent confrontation during which the security operatives were overpowered and an NSCDC officer was killed.
The attackers also set one NSCDC operational Hilux vehicle ablaze during the clash.
Reacting to the incident, the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, who spoke through the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, DSC Abubakar Rabiu Muti, described the attack as unlawful, criminal and barbaric.“The attack is a direct assault on constituted authority and Nigeria’s economic stability. The operations of the Corps in the mining sector are firmly backed by law.
as mining sites and solid mineral resources are classified as Critical National Assets. Illegal mining constitutes economic sabotage under Nigerian law,” the commandant said.
He reiterated that the NSCDC remains the lead agency in the protection of mining sites and the enforcement of laws against illegal mining, in collaboration with other security agencies.
Aniviye issued a strong warning to individuals and groups involved in illegal mining across Niger State to desist, stressing that the Corps would not tolerate violence or resistance against security personnel carrying out lawful duties.
“Any person found engaging in illegal mining, mineral smuggling or aiding such criminal enterprises will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he warned.
The commandant vowed that those responsible for the attack would be tracked down and brought to justice, adding that there would be no hiding place for the perpetrators and their collaborators.
He also appealed to members of the public, particularly communities around mining areas, to provide credible information to security agencies to assist ongoing investigations.
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