At least seven people have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between suspected bandits and illegal miners in Kuyello Ward, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The incident, which occurred around 11am, threw the entire community into panic as heavy gunfire rang out, forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
A local resident who witnessed the attack said trouble started when a suspected bandit arrived from neighbouring Zamfara State to collect levies from illegal gold miners operating in the area. The miners reportedly resisted, leading to a confrontation in which the bandit was killed.
His death triggered a swift and brutal response from his gang members, who invaded Kuyello in broad daylight and began shooting indiscriminately.
“The attackers came in broad daylight and started shooting anyhow,” the source said. “Seven people died, including some of the illegal miners. The whole community was thrown into confusion. People ran for their lives.”
This latest violence has shattered the fragile peace the area had enjoyed for about a year, following efforts by the Kaduna State Government to build peace in Birnin Gwari, a region long troubled by banditry and insecurity.
Birnin Gwari is known to be one of the most dangerous parts of Kaduna State, with frequent attacks by armed groups, especially in areas rich in gold deposits. Kuyello and other communities have become hotspots for illegal mining activities, which have drawn both desperate miners and armed gangs seeking control of the lucrative trade.
The resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, blamed the growing insecurity on illegal mining, saying it has brought more harm than good to the people.
He said, “This illegal mining is a curse to us. It is the reason the bandits keep coming back. They come to collect money from the miners or to fight for control of the mining sites. And when something like this happens, it is innocent people who suffer.”
He called on the government to urgently ban illegal mining in the area and flush out those involved, warning that the violence will only get worse if the issue is not addressed.
Following the attack, security personnel were reportedly deployed to the area to prevent further violence, but many residents remain on edge and have not returned to their homes.
Illegal mining and insecurity have been major challenges in parts of northern Nigeria, especially in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Niger. In many cases, the scramble for gold and other minerals has attracted armed groups who extort money from miners or engage in violent takeovers of mining sites.
In Zamfara, the federal government had previously banned mining activities due to the link between illegal mining and insecurity. Similar calls have been made for Kaduna State, especially in the troubled Birnin Gwari area.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the state government or the police regarding the incident.
Residents continue to live in fear, uncertain of what the coming days may bring.
