Six artisan miners died after terrorists invaded a mining site in Damidami village in Munya local government area of Niger State.
Three of the miners were killed on site while three others drowned in River Shiroro while trying to escape from the attack of the terrorists.
According to The Nation, sources said the bandits, numbering over 50, were said to have invaded the site, which is located about 20 kilometers from Kuchi town on Wednesday after they were repelled from attacking Kuchi town by the Security Joint Taskforce.
One of the miners, who escaped the attack, said that the terrorists shot the three victims because they did not cooperate when they asked the victims to hand over their money, handset, and gold.
“Many of us ran into the bush when we saw them coming on motorcycles. They shot into the air as they rode into the site. Some of us escaped to the riverside but many were surrounded by the terrorists.
“They demanded for money, handset, and gold from us. They collected everything from us, those that were shot did not have anything to give them,” he stated.
A total of 63 artisan miners were able to escape to safety and taking refuge in Zumba town.
The bodies of the drowned miners were being recovered on Thursday by local divers from Zumba.