Gunmen kill 14 miners in Kaduna, many mores injured

Over the weekend, unknown gunmen reportedly attacked a mining site at Janruwa Village, Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing 14 miners and injuring many others.

The fresh attack came barely two weeks after a village head and five others were killed when suspected bandits attacked Sarari village, near Kuriga town in the area.

It was gathered that the bandits, who invaded the mining site in their hundreds riding on motor bikes, opened fire on everyone in sight.

The exact number of people killed could not be ascertained. While some said 40 miners were killed, a source told our correspondent that only 14 people died with about 30 others injured.

A resident, who gave his name as Isa, told newsmen the bandits, after killing the miners, burnt their bodies beyond recognition.

“The attack occurred between 12pm and 1pm on Saturday. The bandits, in their hundreds on bikes, stormed the mining site at Janruwa and opened fire on anybody in sight.

“Over 40 persons were attacked. No fewer than 14 are feared dead. It was a gory scene. The bandits, after shooting and killing, burnt the dead beyond recognition.

“This is coming after last month’s killing of 11 soldiers deployed to keep peace in Birnin-Gwari.

“We thought that after the visit of the Federal Government’s delegation, led by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau, the situation would be calm,” the source said.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Austin Iwar, who confirmed the attack, said the police had yet to confirm the casualty figure but were on top of the situation.