9 killed as Soldiers, illegal miners clash in Katsina

9 killed as Soldiers, illegal miners clash in Katsina

By: James Bwala

The Nigeria Army and illegal miners clashed at the weekend over gold mining at Magama, a village at the border of Jibiya local government area of Katsina state in northwest Nigeria.

Two soldiers and seven illegal miners were left dead following exchange of gunfire at the mining site causing tension in the area.

Residents of Magama village disclosed that the clash occurred on Wednesday around 6pm after discovery of huge gold nuggets in one of the open-pit mines dug by the artisanal miners.

“Several people have fled the village following the clash for fear that the military will come hard on the innocent people.” Ibrahim Danlami told Newsmen in Katsina.

According to the locals, the illegal miners numbering about 40 were armed with AK rifles, and paid the soldiers the sum of N500,000 per pit before they were allowed to start the mining.

Speaking further, one of the survivors said, “However, when the soldiers saw the huge nuggets the miners discovered, they insisted that it be shared equally with them.

“When the miners insisted that they will not part with the nuggets or pay more — apart from the N2.5million they paid for the five pits — the soldiers started shooting in the air to scare the miners.

“But it was said that 27 of them had guns, and also replied to the fire, and then exchange of direct gunfire began. The soldiers lost two men, while miners lost seven men in the clash.

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“The mining ring leaders were able to successfully run away with the nuggets, valued in conservative estimates at N70 million, in their vehicle.”

Spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu, could not be reached for comment on the clash.

It could be recalled that in March last year, President Muhammadu Buhari declared Zamfara State a no-fly-zone and banned all mining activities to check banditry and kidnapping in the state.

Following the federal government’s ban on mining in Zamfara, sources said that the activities have now shifted to some parts of Katsina State where gold was also discovered and illegal mining was now being carried out in the state.

9 killed as Soldiers, illegal miners clash in Katsina