Up to 17 people have reportedly died as a result of clashes between bandits and gold miners at a site located at Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state.

But Kaduna state Police command while reacting to the incident said seven person were killed.

Blueprint.ng reports that the incident, which occurred on Thursday, followed a violent confrontation between illegal miners and armed bandits over gold proceeds at a mining location in the area.

Speaking with Blueprint.ng, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mansir Hassan, said two of the victims died later in the hospital.

“Seven people were killed, not 17 as being circulated. Two of the victims later died in the hospital,” he said.

The police spokesman however, urged the public to disregard fake news being circulated on social media, stressing that verified information should be obtained only from official sources.

“The public should disregard fake news and rely on verified updates from the police,” he added.

The latest violence, linked to rivalry over illegal gold mining operations, is happening after a gradual calm that returned to parts of Birnin Gwari after peace efforts in 2024.