Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A civilian identified as Awal Dan Haza has been accused of leading a contingent of soldiers and vigilantes to a disputed gold mining site in the Randagi community of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area in Kaduna State, where he allegedly ordered them to open fire on resisting residents, killing at least three people, including a minor. The deadly incident, which occurred on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, has sparked outrage in the community and raised troubling questions about the unauthorised use of military personnel to enforce private claims over mineral resources.
The violence unfolded at a gold mining site in Randagi, a community within the Birnin Gwari Emirate, which has become a flashpoint for violent competition over access to the area's rich gold deposits. According to a witness who spoke to SaharaReporters, the ownership of the mining site had been the subject of a dispute between Dan Haza and another claimant, Abubakar Mahori. The matter was reportedly referred to the Emir of Birnin Gwari for resolution, and the traditional ruler awarded the site to Mahori.
Despite the Emir's decision, the witness alleged that Dan Haza left Birnin Gwari with a convoy of seven Hilux vehicles, accompanied by soldiers and vigilantes, and headed for Randagi to remove equipment and structures that had been set up at the gold mining site. Upon arrival, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) stationed in the area confronted Dan Haza and demanded to see official authorisation for the operation. According to the witness, Dan Haza replied that he had no documents and insisted he would proceed regardless. The DPO reportedly warned him: "If you go ahead and anything happens, I am not responsible."
Ignoring the warning, Dan Haza proceeded to the mining site and ordered the dismantling of equipment and structures, which were then loaded onto the convoy. When residents of Randagi objected and refused to allow the removal, the witness said Dan Haza ordered his men to open fire. "They began shooting indiscriminately at people, children and adults alike, and three people were killed," the witness recounted. Videos seen by SaharaReporters showed the aftermath of the incident, including bullet-riddled school buildings, bloodstains, and lifeless bodies lying on the ground. One of the videos showed a young boy lying in a pool of blood, while two other victims were seen motionless with leaves placed over their bodies. The footage also captured school buildings bearing visible bullet holes, with windows shattered and walls pierced by gunfire.
The witness questioned the authority under which Dan Haza was operating with armed military personnel. "I therefore challenge the Nigerian Army: Who exactly is this man? By what authority is he moving around with soldiers? First of all, he is not the Minister of Defence, he is not the National Security Adviser, he is not a General Officer Commanding (GOC), and he is not a retired General or Brigadier General. He is none of these. So why is he allowed to move around with soldiers, giving them orders and allowing them to shoot and kill innocent people?" the witness demanded.
The injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Birnin Gwari, where they are receiving treatment for severe gunshot wounds. The witness called on the Nigerian Army, security agencies in Kaduna State, and the Kaduna State Government to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. "What happened today was an act of criminality, something so terrible that it is utterly unacceptable," he said. He further appealed directly to the Governor of Kaduna State, warning that failure to act could erode public confidence in the government. "We, the people of Birnin Gwari and the people of Randagi, swear before God that we will not forgive what was done to us today. The government must take immediate action," he declared.
The incident underscores the deepening crisis in Nigeria's mineral-rich communities, where violent competition over gold and other resources has become a recurring source of bloodshed. Birnin Gwari, one of Nigeria's most mineral-rich areas with commercially viable deposits of gold, has witnessed a surge in both licensed and illegal mining activities in recent years, attracting artisanal miners and investors from different parts of the country. However, the local government has also remained one of the worst-hit areas by banditry and other violent crimes, with armed groups often exploiting remote mining locations to finance their activities and exert control over mining sites. The latest clash has renewed calls for stricter regulation of mining activities, enhanced security around mining communities, and greater enforcement of existing mining laws.
The alleged involvement of soldiers in the attack raises serious concerns about the militarisation of resource disputes and the unauthorised deployment of security personnel to enforce private claims. The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. As the community of Randagi mourns its dead and demands justice, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of unregulated mineral extraction in Nigeria's Northwest. The witness's demand for accountability and the prosecution of those responsible reflects a growing frustration with the failure of authorities to protect communities from the violence that has become synonymous with the scramble for gold. Whether the Kaduna State Government and the security agencies will heed the call for justice remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: without decisive action, communities like Randagi will continue to pay the price in blood.
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