In a tragic incident in Nigeria’s northwestern state of Zamfara, gunmen raided an artisanal gold mining site, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 individuals, including five vigilantes who were providing security to the miners. The attack, described as unprovoked by local mining union official Yahaya Adamu Gobirawa, took place on Thursday around noon in Gobirawar Chali village, situated within the Maru local government area.
According to Gobirawa, the assailants initially struck the site on Tuesday but were successfully repelled. However, they returned in greater numbers on Thursday, overwhelming the miners and the security personnel. Reports indicate that 14 miners were killed instantly, with additional casualties discovered later due to bleeding from their injuries. Isa Sanusi, Nigeria’s country director at Amnesty International, provided an updated toll of 20, citing information from multiple sources.
Local police have yet to confirm the details of the attack, stating they are still gathering information. Zamfara state has been a hotspot for criminal gangs, locally referred to as bandits, who frequently raid villages, abduct residents, and instill terror across rural areas where government presence and infrastructure are severely limited.
Gobirawa noted that the bandits were better armed during this latest assault, employing heavy weaponry to execute their attack. He expressed concerns that the mine, which had recently opened, was targeted because those responsible for operating it were not directly involved in the local community.
In response to the escalating violence, the Zamfara state government established the Zamfara Community Guards last year, comprising 5,200 personnel aimed at securing local communities against such threats. The ongoing lawlessness in the region continues to raise alarms about safety and security in rural Nigeria.
