Police Officer Dies in Attack by Illegal Miners During Patrol in Niger State

The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has voiced its concern regarding a violent episode involving suspected illegal miners targeting a joint security patrol team, which resulted in the death of a police officer.

This incident transpired on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m. in Zuzungi village, located near Kataeregi in the Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.

The joint security team, which included personnel from the NSCDC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Anti-Drugs Control (ADC), was collaborating with Millennium Metals Mining Company for a standard operation designed to combat illegal mining and thwart the smuggling of solid minerals from the state's mining sites.

During their operation, the patrol team faced a severe assault while attempting to apprehend individuals suspected of illegally mining and smuggling minerals from the area.

The attackers reportedly set one of the NSCDC's operational Hilux vehicles on fire during the confrontation, resulting in the death of one officer.

DSC Abubakar Rabiu Muti, the spokesperson for the command, confirmed the events in a statement issued on February 12. He refuted erroneous news reports alleging the death of an NSCDC officer during the attack.

He clarified that the officer who lost their life was a member of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), not the NSCDC.

“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, wishes to categorically debunk the false and misleading reports circulating in some sections of the media alleging that an NSCDC officer was killed during the recent attack by illegal miners at Zuzungi, Kataeregi. For the avoidance of doubt, no officer of the NSCDC was killed in the incident. The Command clarifies that the casualty recorded during the unfortunate attack was a personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF),” he stated.

“While we deeply mourn the loss of our sister agency’s officer who paid the supreme price in the line of duty, it is important to set the record straight and correct the misinformation being circulated. The NSCDC Niger State Command therefore urges members of the public and media organizations to verify information from official sources before publication to avoid spreading inaccurate reports that may cause unnecessary panic or misrepresentation of facts.

“The Corps remains committed to its statutory mandate of protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, including mining sites, and will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to combat illegal mining and related criminal activities in the State.”

Furthermore, Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye of the NSCDC's Niger State Command condemned the attack, branding it criminal and barbaric, asserting it as a direct affront to established authority and a threat to the nation’s economic security.

He emphasized that the corps' operations in the mining sector are legally supported, asserting that mining sites and solid mineral resources are deemed critical national assets. He highlighted that illegal mining is categorized as economic sabotage under Nigerian law.

Siyaka reaffirmed that the corps is the leading agency responsible for the protection of mining sites and enforcing laws against illegal mining activities, collaborating effectively with other security agencies.

He cautioned individuals and groups involved in illegal mining across Niger State to halt their operations immediately.

“We will not tolerate any act of violence, sabotage, or resistance against security personnel carrying out their lawful duties. Any person found engaging in illegal mining, mineral smuggling, or aiding such criminal enterprises will be arrested, investigated, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he stated.

He added that attacks on security personnel are serious criminal offenses, including murder, arson, economic sabotage, and conspiracy against the state, assuring that those accountable would be apprehended and prosecuted.

Siyaka urged illegal miners to immediately stop their operations and vacate unauthorized mining sites, warning that continued noncompliance would lead to intensified security enforcement actions.

He extended condolences to the family of the fallen officer, the Nigeria Police Force, and the wider security community in Niger State, promising that justice would be actively pursued.

A thorough manhunt has been initiated to capture those responsible for the attack, and the command is urging the public, especially those living near mining areas, to provide reliable information to support ongoing investigations.