34 arrested over killing of police officer by illegal miners in Niger

At least 34 suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a police officer during an attack on joint security operatives by illegal miners in Zuzungi Gwari, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the recent incident involving NSCDC personnel, the police, and the state’s local Anti-Drugs Control team.

Commandant Aniviye confirmed that Police Constable Emmanuel Samson was killed during the assault.

The attackers also made off with his rifle, which was later recovered. Additionally, an NSCDC Hilux patrol vehicle was completely destroyed by fire.

He explained that 15 suspects were intercepted while attempting to flee the community. The remaining 19—including the village head—were arrested after evidence revealed they had harbored the attackers.

According to the commandant, when reinforced security teams moved in to evacuate the area, some community members mobilized in an attempt to confront them.

“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, our operatives discovered that the village head had provided shelter to 19 of the suspects, effectively aiding their evasion,” Aniviye said.

He noted that the mining site in question is licensed to Millennium Metals Mining Company, and the security operatives had been deployed to protect the facility. He described the attack as “coordinated.”

Aniviye emphasized that the NSCDC Act (2003, amended in 2007) empowers the Corps to protect mining facilities, prevent illegal mineral dealings, and safeguard national assets.

He vowed that the Niger State Command remains committed to protecting legitimate mining operations, combating illegal mining activities, and ensuring the safety of lives and property.

He added that normalcy is gradually returning to the community, with reinforced security personnel maintaining a presence in the area.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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