Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has issued a directive to halt illegal mining activities in the state and has instructed law enforcement authorities to take strict measures against those in violation.
Over time, reports have linked illegal mining in the state to the escalation of banditry and other criminal activities.
The governor’s decision to ban illegal mining was explained in a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, who characterized illegal mining as a “destructive activity.”
Governor Lawal argued that the government must implement measures to safeguard the safety and well-being of the people.
The statement conveyed, “Security operatives have been given strict orders to take bold action and shoot at sight anyone found engaging in illegal mining. This directive has become necessary to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers from committing such acts.”
Furthermore, the ban is intended to grant the government full control over state resources and to counter activities that jeopardize the lives and property of the citizens.
It is widely acknowledged that illegal mining is a significant contributing factor to the prevalent banditry afflicting Zamfara State.
In light of this, decisive action is being taken to combat this menace and restore peace and security to the communities in the state.
| ThisDay