At least 17 people have reportedly been killed in a renewed wave of violence in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, following deadly clashes between bandits and illegal gold miners, according to reports by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The violence reportedly began on Thursday at an illegal mining site in Birnin Gwari district, where a notorious bandit leader attempted to extort gold from miners at gunpoint.
In response, the miners resisted and reportedly mobilised to confront the gang leader, leading to his death.
AFP quoted local sources as saying the killing of the bandit kingpin triggered a reprisal attack by his associates, who stormed the mining site shortly after and killed seven miners.
Later that day, the violence spilled into nearby Layin Danauta village, where armed bandits launched a fresh attack.
According to residents and local security sources, nine villagers were killed in the raid, 13 others sustained varying degrees of injury, and several residents were abducted.
Homes and properties were also said to have been set ablaze during the attacks.
Birnin Gwari, located in western Kaduna, has long been a flashpoint in the state’s battle against armed banditry and illegal mining.
The mineral-rich region, known for its deposits of gold and other resources, has attracted both informal miners and criminal elements over the years, leading to frequent security breaches.
However, violence in the area had significantly declined following a peace agreement brokered by the Kaduna State Government in November 2024, involving local leaders, community vigilantes, and certain factions of the bandits.
The deal was hailed as a major breakthrough at the time, bringing several months of relative calm to a region previously plagued by attacks, kidnappings, and inter-group clashes.
Thursday’s incident, however, has cast a shadow over the fragile peace, with residents expressing fear that the latest hostilities could unravel the gains made.
Speaking to AFP, a resident, Muhammad Kabir, confirmed both the killing of the bandit leader at the mining site and the deadly follow-up attack on Layin Danauta village.
He said, “We have been enjoying relative peace since the peace deal was signed, but this latest violence risks jeopardising it”.
Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Command and officials from the Ministry of Internal Security for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
