Illegal Miners Kill NSCDC Officer, Burn Patrol Vehicle in Niger

By Daniel Ebi, Minna

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has confirmed that one of its officers was killed on Tuesday following a violent attack by suspected illegal miners at Zuzungi community in Kataeregi area of the state.

The incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. during a joint security operation involving personnel of the NSCDC, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and local security operatives known as Anti-Drugs Control (ADC). 

The team was on routine patrol to curb illegal mining activities and prevent the smuggling of solid minerals from the area, in collaboration with Millennium Metals Mining Company.

According to the NSCDC, the security operatives were ambushed while intercepting suspects allegedly involved in the illegal movement of extracted minerals.

 The attackers, believed to be armed illegal miners, reportedly opened a coordinated assault on the patrol team and set one operational Hilux vehicle belonging to the NSCDC ablaze.

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An officer of the Corps was fatally injured during the attack and later confirmed dead.

Reacting to the incident, the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, described the attack as criminal and barbaric, noting that it amounted to a direct assault on constituted authority and Nigeria’s economic stability.

Speaking through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Abubakar Rabiu Muti, the Commandant said mining sites and solid mineral resources are classified as critical national assets, adding that illegal mining constitutes economic sabotage under Nigerian law.

He stressed that the NSCDC remains the lead agency in the protection of mining sites and enforcement against illegal mining activities, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The Commandant warned individuals and groups involved in illegal mining across Niger State to desist immediately, stating that the Corps would not tolerate violence or resistance against security personnel carrying out lawful duties.

He further disclosed that a comprehensive manhunt had been launched to apprehend those responsible for the attack, assuring that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

The NSCDC extended condolences to the family of the slain officer, the Nigeria Police Force, and the wider security community in the state.

Residents of communities around mining areas were also urged to provide useful information to security agencies to aid ongoing investigations, as security operations have been intensified to restore calm in the affected area.