Illegal Miners Kill Civil Defence Official, Set Patrol Vehicle Ablaze In Niger

A personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has been killed and a patrol vehicle set ablaze by suspected illegal miners.

LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that the illegal miners were accosted by the joint patrol team aimed at curbing illegal mining at a site in Zunzungi Kateregi in Katcha local government area of Niger State.

It was learnt that the joint patrol team, comprising personnel of the NSCDC, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and local security operatives known as Anti-Drugs Control (ADC), in collaboration with Millennium Metals Mining Company, was on routine patrol in the area notorious for illegal mining.

The operation was part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities and prevent the unlawful smuggling of solid minerals from the mining site.

Confirming the incident, the state commandant of NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, who spoke through the public relations officer DSC Abubakar Rabiu Muti, said, “ While intercepting individuals suspected to be illegally smuggling extracted minerals from the mining area, the security team came under heavy attack by armed illegal miners. During the incident, the assailants set ablaze one operational Hilux vehicle belonging to the NSCDC security team.

“Regrettably, an officer paid the supreme price in the line of duty. His sacrifice in defence of Nigeria’s economic assets and public safety will not be in vain and is deeply mourned,” he added.

The Commandant said attacks on security operatives constitute grave criminal offences, including murder, arson, economic sabotage, and conspiracy against the State.

He said those responsible for the attack would be tracked down and brought to justice, saying, “There will be no hiding place for perpetrators.

Illegal miners are hereby advised to immediately cease operations and vacate all unauthorised mining sites. Continued defiance will attract intensified security operations, coordinated enforcement actions, and sustained legal consequences”.