BREAKING: Illegal Miners Attack NSCDC Team, Beat Police Officer To Death, Burns Patrol Vehicle

A routine security patrol at an illegal mining hotspot in Niger State turned deadly on Tuesday after suspected artisanal miners attacked operatives, killed a police officer, and set a patrol vehicle ablaze.

The incident occurred at about 1:45 p.m. on February 11, 2026, at a mining site owned by Millennium Metals in the Zunzungi area.

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), assigned to protect mining materials, were conducting a patrol within the facility when they confronted a group of local youths, popularly known as “daba boys,” allegedly engaged in the illegal excavation of monazite, locally called “zeiko.”

During the operation, the NSCDC team reportedly seized the illegally mined mineral. However, the situation escalated after the suspects mobilised and launched a violent attack on the security personnel.

A police officer, PC Emmanuel Samson, attached to MOPOL 12, Police Mobile Force, Minna, who was on joint patrol with the NSCDC operatives, was caught in the assault. He was reportedly beaten to death by the attackers.

In the ensuing chaos, the assailants set ablaze a Hilux patrol vehicle used by the security team and made away with the slain officer’s rifle.

The officer’s body has since been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Security authorities say monitoring and investigations are in progress, with further developments expected to be communicated.