The Federal Government has reacted to the killing of a security operative at a mining site in Zuzungi, located in Kataeregi, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State and clarified that the officer killed during the attack, which occurred around 12:30 a.m. on February 11, was a police officer attached to mining operations in the area.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and signed by the Special assistant on media to the Minister, Dele Alake, the minister condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would be apprehended and prosecuted.
The Minister described the incident as a direct assault on the Federal Government’s efforts to sanitise the mining sector and curb illegal activities.
He announced plans to strengthen the Mining Marshals with additional weapons and operational equipment to enhance their capacity to confront illegal miners and violent groups operating within mining communities.
Alake noted that renewed international investor interest in Nigeria’s mining sector, particularly at the ongoing Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, makes it imperative for the government to reinforce security and sustain investor confidence.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting licensed operators and host communities while intensifying efforts to dismantle illegal mining networks across the country.
Authorities say investigations into the attack are ongoing.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
