4th September, 2024
By Obinna Unaeze
The Police have confirmed that one person was killed when hoodlums suspected to illegal miners attacked MI Wushishi Estate in Minna, the capital of Niger State on Monday.
The illegal artisan miners are operating near the estate.
They allegedly invaded the estate in large numbers, vandalising vehicles, houses and people’s property, at a time many residents were away to work, according to reports.
The spokesperson for Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident to journalist.
Abiodun said that, “on Tuesday at about 1400hrs, a distress call was received that suspected illegal miners, miscreants and thugs engaged in a fight and were attacking houses in the estate.”
He said that a police patrol team, led by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Maitumbi Division, was quickly dispatched to the scene and the miscreants were dispersed.
He said that one person, whose identity had yet to be ascertained, was killed by the hoodlums, and was taken to the General Hospital morgue.
The PPRO said that normalcy had since been restored to the area with the patrol team positioned to forestall further reccurrence.
He said that investigation had commenced to arrest the fleeing suspects.
The Niger State Government recently banned the activities of illegal miners in the state, owing to the spike in insecurity and environmental challenges.
(NAN)
