A deadly clash between rival illegal mining groups, Anguwan Kampani and Galaxy, in Minna, Niger State, has resulted in the killing of a tricycle rider.
The rider was allegedly shot by police operatives, who intervened to control the situation on Friday.
The incident sparked outrage among tricycle riders, who blocked the major highway around the state secretariat, halting vehicular movement from Chanchaga to the town to express their discontent and call for justice.
It was gathered that crisis began two days ago at an illegal mining site at Wushishi Housing Estate, where a dispute over mining rights led to a free-for-all fight between the rival youth groups in which two people lost their lives.
When the Police learnt of the situation, they swiftly responded to restore order and make arrests.
However, the action of the Police led to more bloodshed on Friday, with at least a tricycle rider shot dead as the warring youths who clashed with dangerous weapons took to their heels to escape arrest.
Currently, the situation remains volatile, with heightened tension gripping the metropolis as fear increases among residents of Anguwan Kampani, Galaxy and other parts of Minna.
A resident of the area, Ladan Bashir, said, “When the Police arrived at the area to arrest the warring youths and restore calm, they took to their heels as well as a tricycle rider who sighted them.
“The tricycle rider who was out doing his business out of panic, jumped out of his tricycle and started running in the same direction with the hoodlums.
“Upon sighting him running along with them, the Police shot him twice and he died. His body was transported to where the tricycle riders gathered to protest his death.”
Some of the tricycle riders who are outraged over the killing of their fellow rider, allegedly by the Police, demanded an investigation into the incident.
One of them, identified as Musa, said, “Our concerns are rooted in the belief that the police action was unjustified and excessive, leading to the loss of an innocent life.
“We, tricycle riders, are seeking accountability and transparency in the investigation, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”
However, when contacted, the state Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who did not confirm the killing said that investigation to unravel the circumstances of the death is ongoing
According to him, “Reports were received this morning at about 09.00am of some miscreants bearing dangerous weapons fighting around Kafintella and Angwa-Kampani, while police patrol teams of Tudun-Wada and Maitumbi Divisions mobilised to the area to restore normalcy.
“During the process, one person was reported to have lost his life.
“Suddenly, tricycle riders mobilised to block the road while reinforcement was dispatched and the road was cleared, normalcy was restored.”