The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested 21 illegal miners in a joint security operation across Zurmi and Maradun Local Government Areas.
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the suspects were apprehended on Saturday in raids at Boko Village, Zurmi LGA, and Kaya Village, Maradun LGA.
He stated, “The operation targeted locations where illegal mining activities had been persistently reported. The raid was successfully executed, leading to the arrest of 21 suspected illegal miners. The suspects are currently under investigation.”
The joint operation included officers from the Police Anti-Illegal Mining Unit, Tactical Unit, Bomb Disposal Unit, personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and officials from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Gusau Area Office.
Illegal mining has been a persistent challenge in Zamfara, with reports indicating over 30,000 illegal miners and some registered companies exploiting gold without proper regulation. The activities are often linked to banditry, as criminal groups occupy mining sites, displacing communities and exacerbating insecurity.
Local government areas severely affected include Maru, Anka, Tsafe, Bukkuyum, Zurmi, Bungudu, Talata-Mafara, and Shinkafi due to abundant mineral deposits.
Despite previous bans by federal and state governments, illegal mining has continued. Recently, the Federal Government lifted a five-year ban on mining in Zamfara, citing improved security. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, stated the move aimed to boost regulated mining, improve intelligence, and curb illegal activities.
However, illegal miners and bandits reportedly still control many mining sites, with residents facing ongoing killings and kidnappings.
