The Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources, has issued a public statement condemning the violent attack that occurred at the Zuzungi Kataeregi mining site, which tragically resulted in the death of a security officer and the burning of a patrol vehicle.
The Ministry described the act as criminal, unacceptable, and a direct assault on lawful mining operations and constituted authority.
It has therefore directed the temporary closure of the mining site for a period of two weeks to enable a thorough sanitisation of operations and restoration of order.
A statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Idris Legbo, said preliminary reports from credible sources indicate that the crisis stemmed from ongoing tensions between illegal mineral dealers and security personnel at the site, even though the Zuzungi Kataeregi mining site is a duly licensed and legally recognised operation with all statutory approvals intact.
According to the statement, the conflict erupted when security agents intercepted mining materials in the possession of illegal dealers who have persistently infiltrated the site, purchasing mineral products directly from artisanal miners, thereby denying the licensed mining company its rightful benefits, and reselling the products to unregistered entities.
The Ministry further said, it remains resolute in their commitment to sanitising the mining sector, protecting legitimate operators, and preventing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents, calling on artisanal miners and other stakeholders to remain calm and cooperate fully with regulatory authorities.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
