Hoodlums suspected to be illegal miners have attacked residents of M.I Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, the Niger State capital, over allegations that they are using security operatives to stop them from their mining activities.
The attack by the hoodlums follows the alleged killing of one of their members which the Estate residents claim they have openly threatened to avenge the death.
Sources told ait.live that at about 11.00am, on Monday morning, September 2, 2024 residents of the over 500 housing units at the M.I Wushishi Housing Estate located within Minna metropolis, Niger State on the Eastern bypass road, were attacked by some hoodlums suspected to be illegal miners.
The attack, which saw the hoodlums break into houses and destroyed vehicles, at a time of the day when most of the residents had gone out for their daily activities.
The area is said to be richly blessed with solid mineral deposits, especially gold, making it attractive to illegal mining businesses, while the neighbourhood remains high volatile and vulnerable to violent crimes.
When contacted, the spokesman of the State Police Command, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, while confirming the incident, said at about 2.00pm, a distress call was received that miscreants/thugs engaged in a fight and were attacking houses at M.I Wushishi Estate.
He added that Police patrol teams led by DPO Maitumbi moved to the scene, and the miscreants were dispersed. However, one person among the gangs, whose identity is yet to be known, was killed by the hoodlums and was taken to the General Hospital morgue.
Though Abiodun said normalcy was restored, and an investigation is ongoing to arrest the assailants with the patrol teams positioned in the area to forestall reoccurrence, residents of the area are calling for more on the part of both the security agencies and the government as the hoodlums have threatened the residents dare sleep in the Estate.
Some residents of the estate who pleaded anonymity are already relocating their families from the place till the security of the area improves.
Editor: Ken Eseni
