17.10.2025
Clashes between criminal gangs and illegal miners in Kaduna State Nigeria over gold have killed at least 17 people.
The clashes took place on Thursday at an illegal mining site in Birnin Gwari district when a kingpin “extorted gold from miners at gunpoint”, said a report seen by the AFP.
Miners mobilised and killed the bandit leader, prompting reprisals from his comrades who raided the mining site, “shooting and killing seven miners”, according to the report.
Later the same day, bandits raided nearby Layin Danauta village where they killed nine people, wounded 13 others, kidnapped several residents and destroyed property, the report said.
Birnin Gwari, a mineral-rich agricultural hub, had seen a sharp drop in bandit violence since Kaduna state government brokered a peace agreement between bandits and residents in November last year.
Resident Muhammad Kabir told AFP the latest clashes had caused panic in the community over a potential resumption of violence in the area after a lull.
“We have been enjoying relative peace since the peace deal was signed but this latest violence risks jeopardising it,” Kabir said.
He confirmed the killing of the bandit leader and the deadly raid in nearby Layin Danauta village.
Bandits demanding tax from illegal miners