Chaos broke out in the MI Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Tuesday when a mob, believed to be made up of illegal miners, stormed the community, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
The incident escalated when the police attempted to disperse miners who had been digging for gold in the residential area.
Residents had previously reported the presence of the miners in their estate to the authorities, but the situation took a violent turn when the mob retaliated against the police intervention.
Arriving in large numbers, the attackers sacked the community, damaging vehicles and buildings as terrified residents fled their homes to avoid further violence.
At the time of the report, there were fears of continued violence as the miners allegedly vowed to return with reinforcements.
The situation remained tense, with community members calling for stronger security measures to protect them from further attacks.
In response to the incident, Yusuf Mami, the state chairperson of the Miners Association of Nigeria, disassociated his group from the attackers, denying that they were legitimate miners.
Speaking in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mami acknowledged that some local youths had been digging for gold in the area but insisted that those involved in the violence were not members of his association.
He admitted, however, that the youths often became violent when confronted.
The attack underscores the growing issue of illegal mining activities in Niger State, particularly in residential areas, and highlights the urgent need for authorities to take decisive action to curb the menace and protect communities from further harm.
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