By our reporter 12.2.2026
Illegal miners at a mining site in Zuzungi community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State attacked a team of security agencies, killing a policeman and burning the operational vehicle of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The security team on routine patrol of the area were ambushed by the miners who attacked them with various dangerous weapons.
“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, strongly condemns the violent and unprovoked attack carried out by suspected illegal miners on a joint security patrol team earlier today, 11th February 2026, at about 12:30 hours,” NSCDC Niger State commander Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, said in a statement.
“The joint patrol team, comprising personnel of the NSCDC, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and local security operatives known as Anti-Drugs Control (ADC), in collaboration with Millennium Metals Mining Company, was on a lawful routine operation aimed at curbing illegal mining activities and preventing the unlawful smuggling of solid minerals from the mining site.
“While intercepting individuals suspected to be illegally smuggling extracted minerals from the mining area, the security team came under heavy attack by armed illegal miners. During the incident, the assailants set ablaze one operational Hilux vehicle belonging to the NSCDC security team.
“Regrettably, an officer paid the supreme price in the line of duty. His sacrifice in defence of Nigeria’s economic assets and public safety will not be in vain and is deeply mourned.”
Commandant Aniviye emphasized that the operations of the Corps in the mining sector are backed by law, noting that mining sites and solid mineral resources are classified as Critical National Assets and that illegal mining constitutes economic sabotage under Nigerian law.
He added, “Therefore, the Corps remains the lead agency in the protection of mining sites and enforcement against illegal mining activities in collaboration with other security agencies.
“The NSCDC will not tolerate any act of violence, sabotage, or resistance against security personnel carrying out lawful duties. Any person found engaging in illegal mining, mineral smuggling, or aiding such criminal enterprises will be arrested, thoroughly investigated, and prosecuted to the full extant of the law.”