An armed attack has occurred at a gold mine in Zamfara state in northwestern Nigeria. 26 people have been killed so far.
According to a report by the news agency RIA Novosti, Yahaya Adamu Gobirawa, a representative of the Nigerian Miners Union, said that the attack first occurred last Tuesday (April 22). However, it was repelled then. But on Thursday (April 24), a larger number of gunmen returned, who were then carrying heavy weapons. The attackers at this gold mine in Zamfara targeted the mineral resources there. Such violence has become a regular occurrence in the mining industry. Although security has been strengthened after this incident, the situation is still worrying.
A report by ‘The Conversation’ said that various important minerals are found in the northwestern region of Nigeria. Such as gold, granite, gypsum, kaolin, laterite, limestone, phosphate, potash and quartz sand. Nigeria’s Minister of Minerals, Dele Alake, said, “There are influential people behind the illegal mining activities and they are the ones who finance such terrorist activities.”
Nigeria’s Senator for North Ido, Adams Oshiomhole, alleged that retired military officers and security officials are playing the role of coordinators of illegal mining in the African country.
Source: Pravda