A violent mob of artisanal miners attacked security operatives, killed a police officer, injured several personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and set a patrol vehicle on fire at a mining site in Niger State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, at approximately 1:45 p.m. at the Millennium Metals mining site in the Zunzungi area.
According to reports , NSCDC officers on routine patrol to protect mining materials encountered a group of local youths, popularly known as “daba boys,” who were allegedly engaged in illegal mining of monazite (locally called “zeiko”).
The operatives seized the illegally mined product during the encounter.
The youths reportedly mobilised quickly and launched a fierce attack on the security team. A police officer attached to the joint patrol, PC Emmanuel Samson of MOPOL 12 (Police Mobile Force, Minna), was brutally beaten to death by the assailants.
In the chaos, the attackers set ablaze a Hilux patrol vehicle belonging to the security team.
Several NSCDC officers sustained injuries during the assault.
The incident highlights the growing tension and lawlessness surrounding illegal mining activities in parts of Niger State, where clashes between security forces and artisanal miners have become increasingly frequent and violent.
No arrests or further details on the condition of the injured officers have been publicly confirmed at the time of this report.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident. Investigations are expected to be underway.
