Tragedy struck in Egbetua Community, in Ososo, Akoko -Edo Local Government Area this morning following the killing of a middle-aged illegal miner who was beaten to death on allegation of stealing his masters unrefined gold.
The victim said to be a middle-aged man of northern extraction was reported to have run into trouble when his master, a co – illegal miner accused him of stealing his dore bar (unrefined gold).
Though the deceased had reportedly denied the allegation, his assailant was not convinced of the plea of innocence and allegedly bound up the victim and together with accomplices beat the victim to death.
It will be recalled that sometime in the month of May 2024 the Egbetua community had raised an alarm on the activities of illegal miners that had given rise to criminal activities in the area.
The community called on the State Government to put a halt to the illegal mining.
Speaking on the development at the time, the head chief of the community, Iddu Oremeh, Chief Peter Momoh, had confirmed the activities of illegal gold miners in the community, and the determination of the community to stop them with the help of government.
He told newsmen that the illegal mining activities in the community had not only led to environmental degradation but had also resulted in a rise in criminal activities, including frequent kidnapping of farmers, market women and children.
—By Olorunmo Ojo