RismadarVoice Reporters, February 14, 2024
19 suspected illegal miners have been arrested, a stolen rifle recovered – following an attack on a joint security patrol in Zuzungi Kataeregi village, Niger State.
The arrests followed an ambush on security operatives on Wednesday during a routine patrol around a mining site.
During the attack, one police officer was killed, another injured, a patrol vehicle was set ablaze by the assailants.
Confirming the incident on Friday, spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the attackers, described as illegal miners and miscreants, ambushed a joint security team attached to Millennium Metals Company.
According to him, “A report received on February 11, 2026, indicated that some miscreants and illegal miners attacked a joint security team attached to Millennium Metals in Zuzungi village, Kataeregi, while on routine patrol around the company’s business premises.”
He added that during the attack, one police officer was killed and his service rifle taken, while another officer sustained injuries.
Abiodun said security operatives later launched an operation which led to the arrest of 19 suspects and the recovery of the stolen rifle.
He noted that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
