The people of Rafin Gabbas have said they are patiently waiting for the outcome of the police investigation into the deaths recorded at mining sites in Rafin Gabbas, in Kokona LGA, Nasarawa State.
Some members of the community, whose brothers are among the dead at illegal mining sites, stated this while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday.
One of the villagers, John Mark, said the community would petition the Department of State Security Service and all relevant agencies and organisations to ensure that they get justice for their loved ones who died at the mining sites.
He said the police must identify the culprits, who are involved in the Chinese companies involved in the mining and all security personnel guarding the mining sites.
They said they believed in the capacity of the inspector general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetukun, to ensure a thorough investigation of the case and noted that if any attempt is made to sweep the case under the carpet, the community will resort to protest and petitions to the National Assembly and the Presidency.
It would be noted that one of the villagers and the secretary of the mining community, Eshimutu Ode, had told LEADERSHIP that so many people have died in the mining sites and nobody is saying anything to the families or the community about it.
He said the sites are managed by some of the Chinese companies listed above and the mining commander, ACC Attah John Onoja, who serves as the security head. However, Onoja and his security team have caused many problems for the community.
He called on the federal government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to intervene and remove the commander-in-chief, the mining marshal, to bring peace to the community.
He said, “The commander, mining marshal, should be removed because he has caused many problems in the community… A lot of people are dying in the mining sites, and nothing is being done about it. We have the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) people guarding the sites, and that has not stopped the deaths.”
