At least 17 people have been killed in a series of violent attacks involving bandits and illegal miners in Kaduna state, according to an updated security report obtained by AFP.
The violence began on Thursday at an illegal mining site in Birnin Gwari district, where a bandit kingpin reportedly attempted to extort gold from miners at gunpoint.
In response, the miners reportedly mobilised members and killed the bandit leader. This sparked a reprisal attack by the bandit’s associates, who raided the mining site and killed seven miners.
Later the same day, bandits launched a raid on the nearby Layin Danauta village, killing nine people, injuring 13 others, kidnapping several residents, and destroying property.
Birnin Gwari, a mineral-rich agricultural area, had experienced a significant reduction in bandit violence following a peace agreement brokered by the Kaduna state government in November last year.
Muhammad Kabir, a resident of Birnin Gwari, said the recent clashes have caused panic in the community and threatened the fragile peace that had been maintained since the agreement.
He confirmed the killing of the bandit leader and the deadly raid in nearby Layin Danauta village.
“We have been enjoying relative peace since the peace deal was signed, but this latest violence risks jeopardising it,” he said.
Security officials warn that the ongoing clashes could lead to a breakdown of the peace agreement and predict further violence in the region.
