At least 17 people have been killed in violent clashes between armed bandits and illegal miners in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, following a dispute over gold mining rights.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a confidential security report obtained by AFP on Friday, the violence broke out on Thursday in the Birnin Gwari district, an area notorious for years of attacks by armed groups engaged in cattle rustling, kidnapping, and extortion.
The unrest began when a notorious bandit leader reportedly extorted gold from miners at gunpoint, prompting the miners to retaliate and kill him. His followers later launched a reprisal attack on the site, shooting and killing seven miners, the report said.
Later that same day, the assailants invaded Layin Danauta village, killing nine residents, injuring 13 others, and abducting several people while destroying homes and properties.
Birnin Gwari, known for its mineral deposits and farming activities, had experienced a significant reduction in violence after the Kaduna State Government brokered a peace deal between residents and bandits in November last year.
However, since 2021, the district has witnessed an influx of bandits and members of the Ansaru jihadist group, which is linked to Al-Qaeda. These groups have reportedly taken control of large parts of the area, enforcing a strict form of Sharia law.
A resident, Muhammad Kabir, confirmed the attacks, saying the latest conflict had sparked widespread fear among locals.
He told AFP, “We have been enjoying relative peace since the peace deal was signed, but this latest violence risks jeopardising it.”
The report noted that while bandits are largely driven by financial motives, their growing alliance with jihadists in northern Nigeria has raised serious security concerns.
It added that the peace accord had limited the bandits’ revenue sources from ransom and levies, pushing them to focus on illegal mining operations.
The report further cautioned that the renewed clashes could undermine the fragile peace in the region and trigger further unrest.
