34 suspects, including a village head, have been arrested over an attack on security operatives, including men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), whereby a police officer was killed in Niger State.
The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed that the arrests followed an attack by suspected illegal miners at Zuzungi Gwari in the Katcha Local Government Area.
State Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye told journalists that Police Constable Emmanuel Samson was shot dead during the assault. His service rifle was taken by the attackers but has since been recovered. An NSCDC Hilux patrol vehicle was also razed in the incident.
According to Aniviye, 15 suspects were apprehended while attempting to escape the area, while 19 others, including the village head, were arrested after investigations indicated they had provided shelter to the assailants.
ENigeria News gathered that the operatives had been deployed to secure a mining site licensed to Millennium Metals Mining Company when they came under what he described as a “coordinated attack.”
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, our operatives discovered that the village head had provided shelter to 19 of the suspects, effectively aiding their evasion,” Aniviye said.
The commandant added that members of the community allegedly mobilized to resist the reinforced security team during efforts to evacuate personnel.
Citing provisions of the NSCDC Act (2003, as amended), Aniviye reaffirmed the Corps’ mandate to protect mining infrastructure, curb illegal mining, and safeguard national assets.
He assured residents that additional security presence has been deployed and that calm is gradually returning to the affected community.
