Two killed, 11 kidnapped as bandits impose N10,000 levy on gold site operators in Katsina

Bandits have reportedly levied operators at a gold processing site in the Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina state the sum of N10,000 for uninterrupted running of the site.

The site is in Bakin Korama community in Magama Jibia border town of the council.

Residents also revealed that atleast 70 small-scale gold processing centres were operating at the site, which was opened about two weeks ago.

It was learnt that the bandits imposed the levy on the operators after invading the site on Thursday night and killing two of the operators.

According to the residents, the attack commenced around 8pm and lasted two hours.

Five other operators were also said to have been injured in the attack, while the gunmen allegedly abducted 11 workers from the site.

The Chairman of the Katsina Minerals Processors, Tasi’u Abdullahi, confirmed the incident.

He revealed that the bandits later released one of the abducted operators, who they directed to deliver a letter conveying the imposition of the levy.

Abdullahi, who spoke in Hausa, said, “On Thursday, bandits launched an attack around 8.10pm. They came through a neighboring river. On arrival, they started collecting money from the people after a boy announced their arrival to people by shouting ‘bandits, bandits.’ They killed two of our people, injured five others and kidnapped 11.