By Adamu Yusuf
Residents of Randagi Community in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State have appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the recent violence at an artisanal gold mining site in the area.
The appeal followed an incident which allegedly claimed the lives of three persons, while ten others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna, a representative of the Randagi Development Association, Muktar Shehu Shagari, alleged that security personnel comprising soldiers, police officers and members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVIS) arrived at the mining site in a convoy and attempted to evacuate stockpiles of gold-bearing stones extracted by local miners.
According to him, efforts by traditional leaders, including the District Head, to engage the security personnel and ascertain the purpose of the operation were unsuccessful.
Shagari further alleged that security operatives dispersed protesting residents with tear gas before live ammunition was reportedly fired, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to ten others.
He, however, commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for intervening after the incident by meeting with community leaders and assuring them that a thorough investigation would be conducted.
The community also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Commander of KADVIS and relevant civil society organisations to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, with a view to ensuring justice for the victims.
Randagi is one of the major artisanal gold mining communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area. The incident has renewed calls for improved regulation of mining activities, greater transparency in security operations and accountability for any wrongdoing.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the Kaduna State Government had issued an official statement on the incident.
