Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, on Saturday, issued a ban on illegal mining activities and ordered law enforcement officials to take stringent action against violators.
Over the years, illegal mining in Zamfara State, according to the government, has fuelled banditry and other criminal activities.
Governor Lawal, in a statement by his Spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, noted that it’s time to end this destructive activity and implement measures to protect the safety and well-being of the people.
He stressed that security operatives had been given strict orders to take bold action and shoot on sight anyone found engaging in illegal mining.
He said: “The directive is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers from committing such acts.
“It is also a swift action to enable the State Government to be in total control of state resources and block activities that endanger the lives and properties of the people.
“Illegal mining is undeniably one of the driving forces behind the rampant banditry plaguing Zamfara State. We must take swift, decisive action to curb this menace and restore peace and security to our communities.