Residents of Randagi community in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state have appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and other relevant authorities to order a thorough investigation into the recent violence at an artisanal gold mining site in the area, insisting that those responsible should be brought to justice.

The appeal follows the deadly incident at the Randagi mining site last month, where at least three persons were reportedly killed and several others injured during a security operation. 

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain disputed, with community members and security authorities giving differing accounts of what transpired.

Addressing journalists, a community representative, 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 mined by local labourers.

According to him, traditional leaders, including the district head, made efforts to engage the security team to understand the purpose of the operation but were unsuccessful.

“We pleaded with them to explain what they came to do, but they insisted they had been authorised and would not listen to anybody,” he alleged.

Shagari claimed that after residents protested the operation, security personnel dispersed the crowd with tear gas before live ammunition was allegedly fired.

He alleged that three people were killed while about 10 others sustained gunshot injuries.

He further claimed that relatives transporting the victims and corpses to Birnin Gwari were later intercepted, assaulted and prevented from continuing their journey.

The community representative, however, commended Governor Uba Sani for intervening after the incident and meeting with community leaders.

“We thank the Governor of Kaduna State for listening to our complaints and assuring us that the matter will be thoroughly investigated. His intervention has given the community hope that justice will prevail,” he said.

Shagari appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Commander of KADVIS and civil society organisations to ensure an impartial investigation into the incident.

“We need justice. Justice must be done for the people of Randagi. We are appealing to all relevant authorities to intervene and thoroughly investigate what happened,” he said.

Randagi hosts one of the artisanal gold mining sites in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, where residents engage in the extraction and processing of gold-bearing stones. The mining activities provide livelihoods for many families but have also generated concerns over illegal mining, ownership disputes and security challenges.

The recent violence at the site has heightened tensions in the community and renewed calls for improved regulation of mining activities, greater transparency in security operations and accountability for those responsible for any wrongdoing.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army, the Kaduna state Police Command and other agencies mentioned in the allegations had not publicly responded to the specific claims made by the community representative.