An attempt by illegal miners to turn the primary school in Mutun Daya community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, into a mining site has led to a violent clash between the miners and local residents.
During the confrontation, a pregnant woman, whose identity was not immediately known, was shot in the leg by security guards hired by the miners to stop community members from opposing their activities.
Trouble reportedly began when a prominent politician, who is also a member of the local artisan miners (name withheld), tried to take over the school land for mining.
Community members strongly opposed the move, insisting that he should stay away from their land, even though he was said to have sought the support of influential stakeholders in the area.
Unhappy with the resistance, the miner allegedly mobilised local security guards to secure the site against angry youths from the community.
According to a source, the pregnant woman was returning from her farm and attempted to pass through the disputed area. She was stopped by the guards, which led to an argument. When she insisted on continuing, she was shot in the leg, sparking anger among the youths.
The shooting triggered chaos as the community youths stormed the site and clashed with the guards in a fierce fight.
Although no life was lost, the swift intervention of security agents helped to stop the crisis from escalating further, and calm was restored.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying the injured woman had been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun explained that illegal mining was taking place at the school in Mutun Daya, and residents resisted. In the process, a vigilante shot the woman in the leg.
He added that the angry youths blocked the Gwada–Sarkin-Pawa road in protest but were later persuaded by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to reopen it.
Abiodun said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest the vigilante responsible for shooting the woman.
It will be recalled that last year, the state government banned all artisan mining in Niger State following a rise in banditry. However, illegal mining has continued on a large scale, with men, women, and even children still engaged in the activity.
