The Federal Government has renewed its commitment to eliminate illegal mining activities in Zamfara State, addressing the security threats linked to such operations.
According to The PUNCH, the mining officer from the Federal Ministry of Solid Mineral Resources, Mr. Abunumah Samuel, stated that the ministry, in conjunction with security agencies, has developed a strategy to target both legal and illegal miners.
Samuel emphasized that, since 2019, all mining activities in Zamfara had been suspended due to the rising insecurity, particularly the activities of bandits.
He reassured the public that efforts to curb illegal mining are being intensified.
“The Anti-Illegal Mining Unit of the Zamfara State Police Command has been informed of several illegal operations across the state, which has resulted in the apprehension of some individuals involved in these activities,” Samuel said.
“It’s important to remind everyone that the mining ban imposed in 2019 remains in place, and it affects both legal and illegal miners.”
He noted that those with valid licenses were also required to halt their operations until further notice, as directed by the Federal Government.
“Everyone, including licensed miners, must vacate mining sites until new directives are issued. Anyone defying this order will face legal action,” he warned.
The government has maintained a record of all licensed miners, and Samuel assured that those found flouting the ban would be prosecuted.
In a related development, the Zamfara State Police Command paraded 16 suspected illegal miners, including six foreign nationals from Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.
State Police Commissioner Mohammed Shehu, while addressing journalists on Wednesday, disclosed that the suspects were arrested at an illegal mining site linked to notorious bandit leader Halilu Buzu, who was recently killed in a security operation.
The commissioner added that a range of weapons, mining equipment, and chemicals were seized during the arrests.
“Despite not having the required permits, illegal miners have been operating in Zamfara for years. This has contributed to the security challenges we face in the region,” Shehu lamented.
The Federal Government’s crackdown on illegal mining aims to restore peace and order in Zamfara, a state long plagued by banditry and unrest.
