An illegal mining site allegedly owned by Hon. Yakoi Kango, former member representing Munya Local Government Area in the Niger State House of Assembly, has sparked protests in Mutum Daya community, Shiroro Local Government Area, leading to the shooting of a pregnant woman by a local vigilante.
Residents said miners attempted to relocate the only community secondary school to pave the way for mining operations, prompting the demonstrations.
SaharaReporters gathered that the Junior Secondary School, Mutum Daya, serves both the host community and neighbouring villages.
Residents have warned that relocating the school could disrupt education for hundreds of children and raised safety concerns after heavy machinery and blasting at the nearby mining site reportedly caused cracks in classroom walls.
SaharaReporters gathered that the incident occurred on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Shiroro Chapter, organised the protest, which drew hundreds of residents who blocked the Kuta–Minna highway.
Demonstrators displayed placards demanding an immediate halt to mining operations and calling for protection of the school.
Speaking to journalists, Yakoi Kango denied any direct involvement with the miners, stating that the site formed part of a 120 Certificate of Use/License Unit area allocated to him by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
He explained that he only met with miners to discuss how both parties could avoid being adversely affected by mining activities.
Yakoi also alleged that some youths had been selling mined gold, prompting him to deploy security personnel to prevent unauthorised sales until normalcy returned.
Community leaders said they had written several letters to the Shiroro Local Government Authority, seeking intervention, but received no meaningful response, prompting youths to organise the protest to press their demands.
Authorities have placed mining activities on hold pending investigation.
Habibu Wushishi, Director of Media and Strategy at the Niger State Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, told SaharaReporters that “the mining site is put on hold and investigation is ongoing to know what exactly happened.
“But whatever it is and if the former member so claims, he should produce his license,” Wushishi said.
Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that unauthorised mining was reported along Gwada Road within the school premises.
He said, “A yet-to-be-identified vigilante man reportedly shot a woman in the leg,” adding that aggrieved youths blocked the Gwada–Sarkin-Pawa road, disrupting traffic.
The injured woman was taken to a nearby hospital, and efforts to identify the vigilante are ongoing.
