One person has been declared dead, a policeman missing and six other people injured in a clash between policemen and illegal miners at Mayo-Sina, near Nguroje, Sardauna local government area of Taraba State.
The police command in the state, made this known on Friday.
According to the spokesman of the command, David Misal, the clash occurred on Thursday.
He explained that the clash resulted from the refusal of the illegal miners to vacate the site within 48 hours as ordered by the police on Monday.
According to him, a unit of Police Mobile force which arrived the site on Thursday was attacked by the illegal miners.
He said, “This action cost the life of one person while several others got injured and are receiving treatment at Gembu General Hospital and other hospitals in the area.’’
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The police officer also said that the site had been suspected to be a breeding ground for criminals.
It was also discovered that the illegal miners came from other states such as Zamfara, Sokoto and Borno and neighbouring countries like Mali, Cameroun, Niger Republic, Chad and Central African Republic.
Speaking on the development, the Acting Chairman of Sardauna Local Government, Mr Godwin Sol, dispelled rumours that it was a clash between farmers and herdsmen.
According to him, it was purely an illegal mining issue.
Peace, it was gathered, has since returned to the area.
